Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-19
WASHING roy CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsmiNoroN. ID. c., May lG, 49,

The political situation Is about the only
topic aside from the dry weather, which
one hears in this vicinity. Go where you will
through the streets, in the hotels, at the
opera, or even at church (sometimes) the sub
ject comes up in some form or other. The sit
uation. heretofore, has been so serious and
alarming and the attitude of the President so
obscure, that not until the present week has
there been any real sense of relief Both
parties are now satisfed-thc one, that it
knows how its own President proposes to
act, and therefore can fix, unalterably, its flu
ture position on these subjects, and the other
that it knows fully the whole truth regarding
the position of the President and his party,
and can, in consequence, know how to shape
its future policy, which, probably, will be a
backdown.
The political vantage ground, thus far, is
most decidedly in favor of the republicans.
Conservative thinkers on all sides admit this.
The stand which has been taken by the de-
mocracy-that of coercing coordinate
branch of the government into submission, is
so unreasonable, illogical, unwise, and so
contrary to the spirit of the constitution
which that party processes to revere rs most
sacred, has shown to the people that all their
professions and reservations regarding their
loyalty to and observance of the functionary
elements of our government, are as chat in
the wind, when party interests and party pow
er are taken into their consideration.
Besides, perhaps not more than one-ftth of
the people of the country fully read or con-
slider the various debates and speeches wise
or otherwise), which are embodied in Con-
gressi0nal reports while the veto messages
of the PRECEDENT are read by almost every
body.
Therefore, the calm, firm, clear, and states
manlike manner in which the President han
dies the important subject is sufficient to
bring Indirectly home to the minds and hearts
of the masses, particularly the loyal portion,
and the result is an almost spontaneous ac-
claim of "well DONE" well said" and ''you
are right" Not only do the ultra portion of
the people support his views, but the whole
conservative portion come up nobly to his
aid This is one of the more remarkable and
happy signs of the tme-showing at once
that the laws themselves. as they stand, are
believed to be righteous, and ought to stand,
and that the thinness of the purposes Of the
democrats can be, and are seen through by all
those elements which go to make up loyalty
and freedom, and which elements form the
shield and barrier of honest elections and a
free government
HARMONY IN THE REPUBLICAN RANKS.
The Presidents action has placed him in
full communion with all the elements of his
own party, and doubt if, at any time for the
last ten years, has that party been SO thor
oughy and firmly consolidated in interest and
action as now. The breaches have all been
healed and there seems to be no reason why
While thus the republican party is cemented,
the opposite party is likely to be distracted.
There are two bitter elements in the demo-
cratic party, which if present tactics are adj
H'ith W, longer De HtIu To-
gether. One is the hot-hcaded portion which
has fully made up its mind to rule or ruin.
The other is the one which is discerning and
sober enough to see already that the plans
adopted have materially injured the party, and
if carried out fully will sink it into destruction
altogether. Therefore, this last portion while
it is now secretly endeavoring to effect COM
promises, both with its own ranks, and be-
tween the party and the President, will event
ually either have its own way or come TO
open conflict with the tanatical portion.
The contentious, in caucus, between these
two factions, have already become so bitter
that if caucus is held at all, it is held in ut
most secrecy, not to let out these bitter
ordinations and recriminations which occur
And now, so bitter is this feeling, that the
party really fears the caucus meetings.
70 delay action on the appropriations will
be fatal blow to the party, and yet the ma
jority faction is unwilling to take the back
track which the conservative minority see and
acknowledge is finally the inevitable course.
Meanwhile hot weather is approaching, the
end of the fiscal year likewise, and now comes
John Sherman, the acknowledged champion
in the financial forum, and tells them tina,
should the supplies be stopped the collection
of the customs and revenue will 90 right on
which fact will SO contract the currency in q
few months, that a financial crisis and mer.
camille suffering of the direst kind will ensuc
This frightens the New York democrats
half out of their senses for where will New
York be in such a condition of things?
'Verily whom the Gods would destroy they
first make mad" and the old saying ha.
often been applied, and seems again to APP
ply to the democratic politicians. Summing
up the situation, the final result undoubtedly
will be some kind of back down, appropri-
atoms will be made and the wheels of yov