The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-06-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, d. c., June 2, 1881.
The present Republican struggle has set many
TO thinking why the Republican party has lived
SO long Looking back for fifteen years we can
see how little reason there has been for its con-
tinued existence. Looking at the quarrel which
now threatens its lfe-a quarrel in which no
principle whatever is involved-we wonder that
the end has been delayed so long With the
abolition of slavery the mission of The party was
accomplished That the Union was not de-
stroyed in the fight against slavery is not due
particularly to that party. There is a broad dis
tinction in fact between those who set war afoet
for the purpose OF killing slavery, and those who
fought through the war to preserve the Union.
After the war was over however, and every issue
Of 1875 was settled. the original anti-slavery
men continued in power. 1t was illogical that
they should do so, but they did, and, in one way
or another, by sectional appeals, by stealing cleo
toral votes, by the suppression of Legislatures
and State governments, they have remained in
power until now But q mere quarrel between
g couple of leaders is about to put an end to the
party they control, and its death from so slight
a cause forces people to consider why, as l begun
by saying, the party has lived so long
Lest prophesy of such results from the Conk-
ling Blaine quarrel should seem unwarranted, l
may say that do not know Of one Democrat of
intelligence who does not belve as do on the
subject. They do not say that if Conkling
is re elected, or is defeated, or new Conkling
men are elected, or half-breeds are elected,
the quarrel will kill the party They all agree
that whatever the immediate result of the Albany
fight is, the party cannot survive it. Eloquent
appeals for The Union" for the negro's rights,
for 81 free ballot and fair count" have had
their day of influence with the people when the
leaders of the party and the highest officers of
the government abandon everything 10 fight
over Office. Hypocritica professions of hon.
esty and patriotism and reform will not sway an
intelligent people when made by leaders en-
gagged in an open and absorbing quarrel over
custom house.
The proceedings at Albany are and will be
watched with interest, just as the physician
watches the development of progressive disease
after the patient becomes hopelessly ill., He
knows there can be no cure. but he remains with
the victim, giving him anxious attention.
Dispatches sent here from Albany seem to
make the defeat of Conkling sure, and failure
to elect Senators at this session very probable
There is not believed to be much foundation
for the recent rumors Of irreconcilable differences
between Secretary Blaine anil Attorney General
MacVcagh. That there is i'll feeling between
them, growing out Of the rejection of Chandler,
and promoted by allegations that MacVeagh has
some of Blaines worst enemies employed in
working up the Star route irregularities, with
view OF connecting Blaine with them. is not
doubted, but there is no evidence, rs alleged,
that it will lead Ia the resignation of either OF
them. Huron