Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-11-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 1850.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 1880.
There is universal feeling of re-
lief and gladness here that the long
and bitter campaign is at an end, and
that the result is decisive. Now we
may turn our attention to other and
more pleasant subjects. No matter
which side we are on, whether de-
feated or successful, there is GER
tain strain and friction incident to
such a struggle from which we re-
joice to be relieved by its close
Over the result in the present in
stance, however, there are as widely
different feelings here as elsewhere.
The Republicans are in great glee
and can scarcely restrain themselves,
while Democrats are disappointed
and gloomy. Yet such is politics.
One party or the other must suffer
defeat, and judging from the past
there is every reason to believe that
the Democrats will bear it as philo-
sophically and heroically as any party
could under the same circumstances
The disappointment over the final
result is not apparently as great to
them as was that over the loss of In
diana in October. From that time
l think most Democrats regarded the
case almost hopeless. At least that
appeared to be the feeling among
them in this city, where people pre-
tend to know good deal about poll
tics. During the first eight or nine
weeks following the Cincinnati con-
vention no Democrat could be found
who believed the defeat of Hancock
a possibility and there were some
shaky Republicans of the same way
of thinking. The causes that have
brought about that result are 100
well understood to require recapitu-
lation here. The preponderance of
feeling among Democrats, now that
they see success would have been Sc
cured with New York, is that John
Kelly defeated them. In the face of
all other influences, such as the bus
mess boom, the opposition to the SOL
id South and to a change, they argue
that but for the Vaccinations of the
Boss of Tammany Hall, New York
City would have given its usual ma
GRITTY and Hancock would have been
elected.
Among the clerks in the depart
ments here, Joy is unbounded. They
were all decidedly opposed to a
change, naturally enough, though not
without fears that 1t might come.
The suspense and strain has been in.
tense and the reaction is correspond
ingly pronounced. The general re-
suit being ascertained the pleasure
was enhanced by going over the de-
tails of the election returns. These
never failed to give satisfaction.
Perhaps, however, there is an excep-
ton, as q great many regret that
New Jersey and the two Pacific
States did not wheel in line to COM
plete the solid North. This, howev-
er, is a slight objection, and does not
interfere with the undisguised salts
faction with which the results of the
election are received. Whether an
entirely new Cabinet, which Garfield
is said to be pledged to make, win
cause so much of the ''change" to
which employees are so earnestly OPP
posed, can not be foretold. If the
heads of departments are altogether
changed very likely other changes
will follow, but they would not be at
all general. John Sherman announ-
ces that he is not to stay at the head
of the Treasury Department, but ex.
poets to take the seat to which Gar
field was elected in the Senate.
Dom PEDRO.