Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-18
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. April lG, ISIS

WASHINGTON, ID. T.. April 16, 1871.
To the Editor Ktnnebec Journal:
So much has been said regarding the SEN
ate deadlock that need not give descrip-
ton of its origin and progress. Sufficient it
is to say that upon the surface, this lock-
horn spectacle may appear trivial. and from
democratic standpoint, absurd; but the
sub-strata contains material full of meaning
and probable results. The question primarily
is, shall regularly constituted majority rule.
But other questions have been connected
with or grown out of the first proposition.
One is, whether political factions or parties
outside of the Bourbon faith have any rights
and privileges in the South; whether indie
pendentism has right to assert itself and
grow there; whether manifest disposition
to have free ballot and fair count shall not
be recognized and aided in every way con-
| sstent; and-to sum up-whether progress
sive and true republican theories, so latent
in the South, shall not be encouraged to de-
velope into practice, and thus bring the two
sections of our country into closer accord.
Gen Mahone's ideas are just these; and
should he, with the help of the republican
part of the Senate, triumph. the result
may, and probably will be an entering wedge.
commencing at Virginia, which would split
in twain the Bourbon oak that has seemed
| too tough for anything to enter. The handle
| which the democrats are making of his re-
| adjustment principles (whether they be good
| or bad is as he says, subterfuge to make it
appear that the republicans have adopted
them; whereas their real effort is to break up
and destroy his influence and following in
Virginia and in this way kill out the growing
progressive sentiment there and throughout
| the South. Gov. Kemper of Virginia. in a
| recent letter to a senator here let out the Sc
| cret when he said in substance that a back
| down bv the republicans now would result in
a great bourbon success next fall in Virginia !;
| while a back down by the democrats would
cause a success for Malone and his republi-
can allies. success by Malone and the re-
publican. in Virginia would give decided
| impetus to 1ndependentism all over the
South.
If the progressionists all over the country
will look at this struggle in that light they
VIII STE ttc ttipbg piht'pits in'oi'th anu
will not hesitate TO give their sanction. Be-
sides, if the question of majority rule is not
| settled now, it may be fully as troublesome
to settle next December.
Again, this dead lock is benefit in anoth-
| er way, as it brings out the sentiments Of the
two great parties as expressed through their
ablcst representatives. and thus enables the
rising generation to consider and decide as
to which party is the more progressive and
more to be trusted with the interests Of thi.
great nation. 1t is the same old and great
questions talked over again, whether we
shall have free schools, a free ballot, a strong
and respected government, or an aristocracy
! which debases the other classes, a false rep
| resentztion, and State rights more supreme
| than the National Government.
| NOMINATIONS.
The dead lock has prevented the President
from sending in many nominations, as it is
useless to send them there to be piled up in
mass. One good effect it has had however.
| II has thinned out the rush for Office. The
hangers-on are fewer. Pocket books have
become depleted. and courage oozed out.
Many have gone home with the idea that
nothing of consequence will be done until
next winter; and so none but the hotels and
boarding houses regret their departure. In
doubtedly this will give the President and
his officers more time to discriminate and de-
eide in relation to appointments, so that il
many changes are made, they will be made
with care. So far, go slow" seems to be
the principle.
| From all can learn, there will be, in
spite of Wayne Mcveigh's conservatism, .
pretty solid batch Of stalwart appointments
dealt Out to the southern States. The true
J Irepublican element there will be reosganized,