Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-07-14
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHIsaIos, y, Q, july 10, ibso,

wAsuIsaros, u, O, July 10, 1850,
Never during my experience IN
Washington has there been such q
cheerful and eonadent feeling among
the democrats TO DO met here And,
on the other hand. never but once
have l seen such depression and ooa-
sternaiion among the radical office
holders, On tho night OF Tho election
Ia 1875, when democratic success was
apparent from the dispatches, aud the
next morning when II was confirmed,
there was u pretty sick lot Of republi'
cans around here, but theil distress
was sh,rt.liyed, for when the PLAZA 10
steal a few states was Ind Gated NY
Chambers dispatch from New York
that afternoon, their spirits went UP
again. hut now the attack Of multi
grubs has set In very early and ] have
yet to dnd anything TO indicate a pos
sible relapse, The certainty OF Han
cocks election seems 10 DO conceded
on every hand, either openly or lae't-
IS. The utter lack Of enthusiasm or
unity among the republicans Is even
more evident now Than NJ tho outset,
aud the mysterious action OF both
Conkling and Cameron tend TO In
crease the dismay In tho ranks OF the
Office holders, Clerks IN the depart
menls arc not coming down with their
little contributions TO the campaign
fund with such alacrily aS has distin-
guishcd them on former occasions,
and altogether the outlook Is not very
rosy on that side. OF course the
clerks cannot he blamed. 80 long as
there IL no hope Of success why
should they throw away any OF their
small means Some Of them expect
TO want all they have TO got ont OF
town with.
1t has been lclegraphed hence that
General Hancock wonld resign his
position ms Major.Gencral previous to
tho publication of his letter OF accept
ancc, aud upon inquiry ] find that
such n step Is being considered among
his active friends. The reason as
signed for this proposed course is that
pending the election, General Han
cock, il no remained in the army,
would be restrained by the rllo and
customs governing army officers, who
ore supposed TO be men without pol'l-
ical preferences. Another reason is
an objection which his candidacy pre-
sents in n person being elected to the
highest civil Office in the land while
still an officer Of the regular army. 1t
IS also said in explanation that Gener-
al Hancock does not wish to embarass
or in the slightest degree retard the
success of his party, and as a citizen
he will be wholly free and ON an
equality with the republican nominee.
Having the greatest confidence in the
success of the canvass his retirement
will, IN his opinion, it is said, be an'
ticipated only q few months. The eS-
ample of General Grant, who did not
resign until short time before his in
auguration as President. has no infiu-
ence with General Hancock. Besides,
it is alleged that the step will increase
the popularity of the democratic can
didate and make success doubly Ger
tain. Of the wisdom OF this reason
ing there will be a difference of opin-
ion I think, and for my part see req.
sons against the resignation.
There is a very strong probability
that the Democrats national commit
tee will make its headquarters here.
Senator Wallace and other active
friends of General Hancock favor it,
and there are many reasons why this
is the most natural and advantageous
location. PHoNo.