The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-01-23
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


The new year has opened full Of prom
ise. Without reviewing the melancholy
things among the events of 1878, or re-
ferring to the distressed conditions be-
longing to its predecessors, we know
that il brought us full granaries, and
passed US twelve months further on in
the gradual advance toward a healthy
state, and makes its exit, leaving behind
unmistakable signs Of better things to
come. And resumption is now a legal
fact, though it cannot be said to be an
accomplished fact. Probably many of
your readers are among those who have
regarded it impractica0le, yet now that
a trial has 6Dme, even though IL is only
a shadow aud not "A substance, they will
hope none the less that it may succeed.
Failure would be an hundred fold more
disastrous than the past unsettled con-
diti0n could have been, even though pro-
longed indefinitely. Ii is, however,
sheer nonsense 10 assume that this So
called resumption will produce an 'im-
mediate change for the better" or "im-
mediate prosperity" The improvement
now beginning to be felt in business
has been slowly taking place for months
past, aud returning confidence aud buoy
ancy is DOta consequence Of resumption,
but the very thing that renders it even
remotely possible. These hopeful signs
are not the result OF anything that Sec
retary Sherman has done, but in spite
of it. He did not create the unusual
foreign demand for our products, nor
did he grow the wheat, corn, cotton,
hogs aud beeves, that enable us TO sup
ply it. Asa strong constitution will eu-
able a patient to throw of disease and
slowly convalesce toward perfect health,
despite bad medical treatment, so this
young, vigorous country, aided by
bouudless resources, has been recover
ing from depression, despite all the evils
Of bad legislation aud the cruel, grind
ing policy OF Sherman. There is reason
TO believe that the same causes that
have been helping our financial condi-
tion and our great industries, will con-
tinue to help them. In short, while
the indications for the fuiure do not
promise speedy return 10 line feverish
speculative period Of prosperity, more APP
parent than real, they do point TO a sea-
sou Of wholesome. we'll grounded busi-
Ness activity, drawing capital out from its
hiding-plaees aud giving employment
10 those who are willing 10 work. One
Of the most discouraging features Of the
last few months has been the wide
spread feeling, amongst the possessors
Of means, that nothing was safe but gov
erument bonds. But with gold aud sill
yer aud greenbacks on an equality, and
enough Of all to trans act the business Of
the country, moneyed men will brace up
aud find more active use for their ac-
cumulstious.
New Years day is a state occasion in
Washington always, and i; never was
"A livelier one than on Wednesday.
While the gray light and fast-falling
snow were painting the atmosphere
with cold tint, the streets were
thronged with carriages and well-dressed
pedestrians making for the receptions
and their round of calls. The White
House was the theater Of a most brill
liant scene. Before ten o'clock in the
morning the carriage ways were
thronged with vehicles, and at eleven
O'Clock, when the doors were thrown
open, the Chinese Minister, followed by
his suite, entered, attired in the court cos
tune Of their country. After them in
quick succession came the French Lega-
tiUn, the Russian Minister and suite, and
Turkish Embassy, all decked out in the
full eeremonials Of their respective
countries. They were a pleasing sight,
these foreigners, and attracted much at
tention. Then came the Cabinet officers,
the Judges Of the Supreme Court, and
after them officers Of the army in dress
uniform. At twelve o'clock the general
reception ensued, when there was pro-
miscuoUs rush of citizens. Speaker
Randall aud Secretaries Evarts, Schurz,
Thompson aud McCrsry also held re-
ceptious in the afternoon, which were
largely attended. Secretary Sherman
did not receive on account Of the death
Of his brother, Judge Sherman, at Cleve-
land.
Quite large proportion Of Congress
men have remained in the city during
the recess, and the industrious ones
among them have been preparing to
contribute their share toward season
Of activity after the re-assembling on
Tuesday. II there is one thing more
than another that the average Congress-
man wants in preparing his speech, it is
"figgers," aud judging from the numer-
Gus calls upon the various departments
for "fggers." goodly number Of ora
torical efforts are to be fired OF before
the end Of the session. But speech
making isn't all there is to be done.
There is going to be a hot fight over
some Of the important appropriations.
and a general stirring up Of numerous
other things. It's evident that the new
army Till will have 10 run the gauntlet
Of sharp opposition. The charge is al.
/ ready made that the section deDrfvin,,
the government Of the right 10 manu.
/ facture arms Is vast job in the inter-
ast OF some private establishments. Rut
most ohjectional Of sll is the provision
which reduces the Secretary Of War To
a mere cipher, aud Overthrowiny Ali
civil control Of the military establish
ments; in short, making military supe-
rior TO civil authority, and the general