The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-12-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

4
4" y" r piroR oF THE NEW NORTHWEST:
Inc elections are over, and we trust
tue country Is again safe. When willy.
AMBITIOUS and somewhat unserupulous
men, Ike Ben Butler, are candidates for
nigh Offices and go into the contest to
win at all hazards, we do not aI,,.,,sf 90
assured of our national safety until after
the election, for there is no coalition or
fraud or other political deviltrv that
will not be resorted to in order IN roo,
success. Il is all very we'll to poob
pooh at Kearneyism, fraudulent votes
and registration, yet the difference be-
tween many of the elections now held
in our great cities and the selections of
rulers in ancient Rome by resort 10
arms, is only one Of degree, and time
and courage only are needed to develop
continuous and persistent Ballot-box
stuffing into the force given byan armed
mob under the guidance of a Kearney
or COhan, or may we say Ben Butler?
To be sure Mr.. Butler is a man Of peace,
but to gain his ends, his means set a
precedent that will never, under the
retrograding tendency Of politics, lessen
in their influence for evil. Milton tells
US that "Devil with devil damned firm
concord holds" and the man is not far
distant who, possessing Ben Buffers
wonderful executive and intellectual
ability, will unite with it a desire to
break down all law and order and by
drawing around him the fiendish ele-
ments Of society give the nation untold
trouble. Our only hope lies in putting
down at once all tendency of the turbu-
lent TO rise, and as We understand the
Massachusetts canvass, we are glad that
the peace-loving citizens have dictated
that Mr.. Butler must not occupy their
gubernatorial mansion. One thing
seems apparent from the fall elections.
Those members Of Congress who have
most strenuOusly resisted appropriations
have been left at home and new men
substituted, and though, we suppose, the
fact of opposing expenditures of public
moneys did not really enter into the
canvass against these constitutional
objectOrs," yet it is strange that all,
with hardly an exception, have been
kept at home by their constituents. It
Is to be regretted that such is the case,
though several Of these gentlemen in
Cured much enmity by objecting to
everything in Me shape of an appropri-
alton, without tue slightest regard to
the merits involved. So long as we
lack constitutional provision compel
ling a vote Of ayes aud noes on all bills
involving expenditure ofpublie moneys,
we have imperative need for "consti-
tutional objeetor," one who by "obiec-
tion" compels a vote on the numerous
steals which every session springs upon
Congress, and yet will draw proper
distinction between the appropriation
for worthy, national object aud the
improvement of a river which has no
existence.
Our city has been visited With another
bank failure. The German National
suspended because Of inability to cover
its assets, and took with it the German
Savings Bank, which was attached to
it. There being no crookedness, defal-
cation or rembezzlements connected with
this failure, no one doubts eventual paw
ment in full to all depositors in both
banks. The assets seem abundant for
the purpose, and though much incon-
venienee and distress must necessarily
result from the locking up Of the eapi-
tai Of business men aud needy deposit
ors, yet the fact that dollar for dollar
will sooner or later be paid has suficed
to keep down all excitement, aud the
suspension made hardly ripple on our
society current. Jay Cookies First Ma
tioual Bank paid out in full, and that
too with transfer of deposits after the
smash that seemingly partook of sleight
of hand transactions.
The Celestials, the Chinese Embassy.
are quietly taking notes Of our political
and society matters. We saw the whole
delegation at the English Opera, and
they watched the play as intently as if
deeply interested in it. Their small
tight-fitting skull caps, ,ornamented only
with thered button denOting rank, their
peculiar silk blOuses and strOngly-mark-
ed Mougolian features brought them
in strong contrast with the "outside bar
bariansr sitting around them. They, Of
course, are perfectly dignifed in their
manners and demeanor when in public.
which is more than we can say for some
of the attaches Of European legations.
Recently they visited the American In
stitute Fair in Baltimore, and spent
the afternoon in looking at the exhibi-
tion. We doubt not that every valua-
bic invention seen there will be noted.
as it is one Of their objects to note the
improvements of our country. for the
OeneuI ol thelr own. FELIX.
Washington, d. c., Nov. S, 1878.
Lady Anne Blunt, the granddaugh-
Ter OF Lord Byron, is about to publish a
volume on a Winters Residence
Among the BedOuin Arabs" She
/ spent last winter with her busband