The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,
Special Correspondence to The Republican J
WASHINGTON. DC, Aug. ID, 1878.

WASHINGTON. DC, Aug. 13, 1878.
Last week will remain long ia
nous in the annals of Washington
and vicinity for the number and ter
rife character of the rain and hail
storms that seemed to select this lit
tie area OF city and country as the
centre for atmospheric disturbances
that were absolutely terrifying to
timid men and hySterical women,
and that impressed the most stolid
and Unconditional with the trifling
and lilliputian character of mans
works IN their capacity to withstand
natures resistleSS forces. The week
closed with storm Of an hours du-
ration that wrought wide spread
ruin ali oyer the city and completed
the work of destruction begun by
those earlier III the week. Illustra-
tive of the force of the gale, it may
be mentioned that several sections of
the iron fence between the Treasury
and White House, were Frustrated
iron rods of an inch in diameter
being twisted off as though made of
clay. Our admirable sewer system
has been damaged to the extent of
many thousands of dollars, and the
havoc above ground has been gen.
eral. More than hundred houses
were unroOfed from Saturday to
Monday night, and many others
were completely demolished. Pave
mentS were torn up and utterly
ruined rs though the work of chill
dren. Misunderstanding thousands
of shade trees have beeu uprooted
or twisted off. Cellars all oyer the
city have been inundated and many
buildings with foundations washed
out will have to come down. A black
cloud gathering anywhere above the
line of the horizon will now set all
Washington in tremor of appre-
hension. On the whole the season
has been unprecedented for hot
weather and violent disturbances.
The President and his advisers are
no sooner granted a temporary res
pite by lull in the Indian and
"moonshiner" war and by a subsi-
dence OF the more prominent of the
many other causes threatening dis
orderly and violent outbreaks, than
Mexico comes in to claim her share
OF attention. Only recently she I'M
dertoOk to discount raids of her citi-
zens into Texas by pleading similar
ones south of the Rio Grande by
Texans; and at Fridays meeting adj
vices from Gen. Ord consumed most
of the time. Ord intimates that the
next expedition across that river in
pursuit Of thieves or for any other
object, will likely be attacked, and
he asks instructions to guide him in
such contingency. A reiteration
Of the orders heretofore given was
telegrapned III reply. Our relations
have constantly grown more critical
with Mexico and apparently We
must now submit quietly, or prepare
to meet force with force. Diaz can
undoubtedly divert very dangerous
public sentiment against HIM into Il
less perilous channel by setting his
bravoeS to cutting our Threats.
In view Of Wade Hampton's prom
iseS of immunity from punishment
for past crimes to such of the rifle
club criminals as desire TO actively
participate in the pending campaign
and the turning loose of an army of
Illicit Whiskey distillers on the per-
sonal Iecognizances, it is suggested
that the imprisoned revenue officials
there might be released on bail, pro-
vided Kershaw and the classes
named wouldn't become so exasper-
ated as to rend the Union asunder.
But shooting a South Caroinaman
for so trifling misdemeanor as aid
ing notorious criminals to escape
them, and for trying to shoot the
officials in question, has so incensed
the people and outraged a chivalor-
Gus public sentiment, that it is doubt
full if any movement looking to their
safe removal from reach of mob
would be submitted to. Even their
nominal transfer from the custody
of State to a United States officer
though Immediately remanded to the
keeping of the same jailor, was very
CALLING to South Cardinals pride; and
only her Spartan firmness enabled
her to submit to the humiliation.
But she can't bear everything. and
the indi3creet officials must take
their chances.
Capt. Eads has been visited by the
Brazilian minister by order of Dom
Pedro who inspected the Mississippi
jetties, with request for advice rela.
tive to the Improvements of Brazil
ian rivers and also presenting him an
letter from the Brazilian