Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-02
Washington News.
From Special to Boston Journal.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 80, 1879.
The DEMOCRATIC LEADERS TONED DowN.
For the most part the democratic leaders,
although not chastened, are at least disposed
to silence. Baffied in their attempts to Sc,
cure political success by surrender to the
greenbackers in the North, and to the ex-
Confederate Bourbons in the South, the fore
most men in the party seem to have but one
object and offer but one counsel. That OBJ
ject lie political success in 1880, that counsel
is to avoid exciting the fears of the North by
too vivid remembrances Of the past, and to
seek to allay the fears which have already
been excited, and to watch for some means TO
destroy the unity Of the republicans, and to
prevent the North from becoming solid.
TnE PARTY Policy.
Talks with the democrats from all sections
lead to the conclusion that is to be the party
policy, if it shall prove to be within the pow
er of the whip and spur ofthe caucus to make
it so. 1t is the policy which has come to be
known as the 'velvet paw or ''possum'' pol
icy. The democrats are determined that the
true spirit of the South and of their obsequi-
Gus allies of the North, as manifested in the
debates and attempted enactments of the ex-
ira session shall be concealed. The policy is
to be one Of expediency, not of principle. As
yet no specific line Of action beyond this gen.
eral outline seems to have been determined
by the democratic managers, and it remains
to he seen whether the rank and file can be
made to accept these views. The most con-
spicuous men in the party advised a very diff.
ferent policy at the extra session from that
which was finally adopted, but they were
compelled to fall in line and march at the
rear Of the procession, which was led by the
wild fellows who composed the majority last
spring.
PRoPosED REPEAL OF THE LEGAL TENDER
ACT.
Beyond this general plan, which is talked
about among the members who have assem-
bled here, the emily definite course which has
been suggested is that the attitude taken upon
the finance question by the President in his
message, and by the Secretary of the Treas
ury in his report, make it possible to create
diksensions among republicans by preciptat-
ing agitation upon the repeal of the Legal
Tender act, the retirement of greenbacks and
the discontinuance of the coinage of silver.
OF course any such attempts would create
discussions in the democratic party also, I'M
less king caucus is to remain uRdisturbed up
on his throne and his dccres are to be obeyed
as law.
The SOUTHERN INDEPENDENTS.
The democrats are determined to recognize
the existence Of no independent movement
in the South, and instead of upbraiding the
gentlemen who are reported to be connected
with this movement, their party organs speak
well of them. The Washington Gazette, the
most pronounced of Bourbon papers here,
this morning says that DIR. FELTON, is as good
democrat as the sun ever warmed.
PROBABLE PoLIcY OF THE REPUBLICANS.
The republican congressman have had no
opportunity for confer renee, but it is under
stood that for the present they will act on
the defensive. Gen. Burnside will take an
early occasion to speak on his resolution in
trOduced in June last, relative to the con-
struction Of canal across the Isthmus of
Darien, under the protection of European
Powers. After declaring that the people of
this Union have for upward of fifty years adj
hered to the doctrine on foreign interven-
ton promulgated by President Monroe, the
resolution declares that the people of these
States would not view without serious quiet
ude any attempt by the Powers of Europe to
establish, under their protection and domino
ton, ship canal across the lsthmus of Da-
rien, and such action on the part of any Eu-
ropean Power could not be regarded in any
other light than as the manifestation of an
unfriendly disposition towards the United
States. As Gen. Burnside is known to enter
tain very advanced views on this subject, as
well as on the future of Canada and of Mex
leo, his remarks will be listened to with inter
est and may lead to prolonged discussion.
The DOCKET.
All business introduced at the first session
Of this Congress and not then acted upon re-
mains on the dockets and will have prece-
dence over business to be introduced now.
The only exception is the executive nomina-
tons on which the Senate took no action,
which must be made over again OF other
names sent in for the same places.
GEORGIA PoLITIcs.
Henry A. Wrench, editor of the Dalton
(Georgia) Headlight writes TO Col Crandall.
secretary Of the National greenback party
here, that FELTON, is correct in his assertion
that Georgia will 20 for the independent
ticket next year.
The Best Way TO Cheer Up,