The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-24
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

L L
Especial Correspondence to The Republican
WASHINGTON. DC. Aug. 20, 1878.
War with Mexico and yellow jack,
''the pestilence that skulketh in
darkness and wasteth at monday"
are oftenest heard canvasSed, while
matters financial, political, social and
moral all contribute to relieve the
dullness of the mid. summer season
here. McKenZie's rumored inva-
sion of Mexico with considerable
force carrying above 100 rounds of
ammunition per capita, had not been
confirmed this morning. But the re-
port obtains general credence even
among officials about the War De-
partment who have the best of data
upon which to base the probabilities.
While Cabinet officials are bound by
international etiquette to keep up
the appearance of believing in the
assurance of cooperation on the part
of Diaz, their prjUate opinion seems
to lean decidedly in the other direc-
ton and the prevalent opinion is
that public sentiment across the line
will force Diaz into fight with us
on this matter. Whatever his per-
sonal inclinations, it is doubted here
whether he could retain his present
position any length of time should
he seem to approve our invasion of
Mexican territory. His representa-
tiveS here affect to believe that moth
ing serious will grow out of the pres
ent complications, even should Nc
Kennels crossing be confirmed but
it is evident that they are uneasy
over the situation and all are looking
! to the developments of the next few
days on the Rio Grande with i'll con
cealed anxiety.
The yellow fever ravages haye been
frequently discussed in Cabinet meet
ings and the law of humanity will
be followed in rendering such aid as
can be given. While there is no eX-
element, everybody seems to think
it a good time to clean up and keep
clean, at least till the frost comes.
Louisiana hasn't improved the
reputation acquired a few months
ago through Anderson, Weber, Mrs.
jerks and so on to the end of the
witnesses she contributed to Potter's
Committee, by the performances of
Leete. AS before stated it seems the
general sentiment that any official
high or low, reduced to the alterna-
tive of being vindicated by any OF
the disreputable crowd, might as
well go into bankruptcy at once. AS
to the managers of this mud machine
it seems the impression that they
can't hurt themselves, whatever they
do and if they must keep up the
farce through the season, Leete an
swers as well as anybody else tC
t-r~hile away the time.
Reasoning pri0rj the fact that one
has repeatedly boxed the financial
compass, clearing at one bound the
gulf separating honest money from
practical reputation as Thurman has
done within the past four years,
would hardly seem to commend them
for position where their influences
upon finances must prove potential
for good or evil. But it seems Dem.
ocracy will willingly pay anything
demanded as the price of an alliance
with the factions outside of the two
old parties, including the Green
hackers proper, the socialists and the
communists and Thurman's efforts
are now directed to the task of squar-
ing his views that they may clash
with none Of those popular with pos
sible allies.
UNDINE.