Mexico weekly ledger., 1878-12-19
CONGRESS.

STATE OF POLITICAL PARTIEs-PREsI-
DENTAL AsPIRANTS-BLATNE, CoNK-
LING AND sHERMAN-MR. THURMAN's
ANSWER TO MIR. BLAINE.
Congress is in as much of a dead
lock and quite as incapable of needed
legislation, as it was during its last
session but parties in this country
neve presented stronger contrasts.
Saving alone the ambitions of GER
tain Republicans to be presidential
candidates, the members of that party
were never so aimless. Content to
wait and watch the fate OF what it
has already put in motion, that party
itself is more dependent than ever for
a leader upon future and unknown
combinations, which aspirants IN its
ranks are seeking to originate.
On the Democratic side in strong
contrast to the condition OF the Re
publican party, there is both unani-
nifty and policy. The Democracy to
q mar have ceased to he concerned
as to who is to champion Republican
ism. They feel that they have Il
financial policy to press in and out of
Congress, and among the people,
which advances high above the sec
ondary issues of former campaigns
and rises above any platform or can
didate that the Republican party can
put forth. In this progressive move
ment it will be of comparatively small
Importance what issues the RepubIi-
can party may make, and still less,
what man it may choose for leader,
since the great political principles an
nOunced and the measures advanced
by the Democratic party to give them
practical utility, will De the paramount
issues of the contest, because they
will touch matters that oncer every
man, woman, and family in the ma
ton, more closely and more directly
than any others.
OF the avowcd Republican prcsi-
dental aspirants MIR. Blaine is the
most active and persistent: He
shakes again the bloody shirt, rails
at q solid South and demands curtail-
ment of Southern power in Congress
and the electoral college, but it is
doubtful if he has thereby advanced
his presidential prospects. In the
absence of all proof except the state
ments of a partisan press, his charg-
cs Of interference to prohibit South
ern negroes from voting, must fail of
themselves. His party has no par
ticular lien upon the black man, and
the country is tired OF attempts to set
it up and enforce 1t. Mr.. Garfield
hit the nail on the head the other
day, when he said, "The man who
would attempt to get up q political
excitement On old sectional issues
will find himself without the support
Of the country but the man who want.
ed to gain the good will of the coun-
try, must put himself in line within
its leading thought and that was the
restoration Of business" The nation
is demanding relief from the results
Of financial contraction, and the gross
wrong of Mr.. Blaine's attempt TO stir
up strife without 50 much as ga dead
Niger to base il on, is that it in
terferes with and postpones consid-
Grafton OF the greatest needs Of the
country. What are Mr.. Blaine's per
sonal interests when put into COM
parison with those of the nation. |,
is not too much to say that Mr..
Blaine will discover that his prefer
ence for himself will be properly ap-
precilted and punished.
Conkling, who in the event OF
Grants not beinga candidate has per-
haps the best pretensions since he is
backed by the strongest Of the doubt
5 ful states sat writing at his seat,
while Blaine unfolded to the senate
the platform on which he took his
stand. Long ago, at Saratoga Conk-
ling placed his bark upon what he
thought was the Rttest launchino
ways, and still confidently waits the
rise OF favorable tides to float it of.
Meanwhile Mr.. Sherman in the recess
es .ofthe treasury nurses what he
views as buildings of future greatness,
based upon pieksngs stately thrown
70 banks and syndicates. Besides
these there is a host, that like Hayes,
would submit to any compromise to
secure the much coveted position Of
standard bearer.
In answer to Mr.. Blaine's speech
In the senate Mr.. Thurman said: /
attempted to offer an amendment he
fore The Senator from Maine proceed
e. with his remarks, but could not
Ahat gentlemen having < earefully