National Republican., 1882-01-03
A HnnnY Yesterday.


A Happy Yesterday.
Washington is delightful, cleanly,
CHEEKY, and hospitable city. Yesterday
she was at her best. II was something to
be proud of to see the great interchange
OF civilities between resident and official
people, and to see the warm welcome
of Washington homes to both denizens
and strangers. Not often has pleasant
New Years Day been given us. Yester-
days weather was something worth
talking about. Not that it was eX-
actly New Years Day, but then
it was left over, as it were, untouched
from Sunday, and everybody forgot
that it was the second day of 1882.
There was one feature of the day which
had its advantages, albeit some will be-
moan the good old days when things
were so much different. This feature
was sobriety. The young gentlemen
ringing from nineteen to twenty-five,
who have, in years past, appeared rather
limp and feeble at the knees after about
three o'clock, stood firmly on their pins
yesterday. This was because so large
proportion of the ladies, by general con-
sent, omitted wines and all other intoxi-
eating beverages from their entertain
ments.
AT the White House never did the peo-
pie meet more courtly or gracious Presi-
dent. He was patience itself, greeting
with kindness and interest every person
who deemed it worth his or her while to
ell.
The day was pleasant halt in the
long march, and everybody and every
body's wife rested and refused to be
worried. In the struggles and excite
ments which make up so large q portion
of the national life it is well that long
custom makes the opening day of the
year day of rest, recreation, and pleas
nnt reunions.
To-day the world moves on again
wedding marches, funeral dirges, gains
and losses, all go on as before. 1881 was
stormy year. Let us hope the present
one may be comparatively peaceful.
The Congressional Elections of 1882.
II will not do for us to mellow down in
these infant days of the New Year
into an idea that the millennium has
arrived. There will be political struggles
this year of unusual intensity. The
people of the several Congressional dis
tricts in all of the States will
be called upon to choose members
of the next Congress, whose terms will
commence March 4, 1883. The close dis
lrcts will be warmly contested, and in
the Southern States many districts will
be fought over which have for several
years been surrendered TO the Bour-
bons without struggle. The uprising in
Virginia will bear fruit in other portions
of the South. The Democrats who are
tired of the cheating, perjury, and bull
doing by which alone they maintain the
Rscendancy in many districts, will revolt
against the Bourbon organization. 1t
will be the duty of the white and black
Republicans, where the Bourbons bear
sway, to encourage the men who
thus declare their independence. They
ought to be willing to waive all claim
themselves in favor Of any honest and
capable candidate who goes before the
people pledged against further CO.
operation at home and in Wash
ingtoa with the Bourbon Democ-
racy. Beware of Independents who
are Independent only to get Republi.
can votes, and who, when they reach
Washington, are ten times more bitter
than the Bourbons who made no profes,
sions of liberality. Take Senator Joseph
Brown, of Georgia, as specimen
of those who proclaim themselves
Liberal before election, and who
being in their seats thus obtained
are ready to hold the coat of genuine
Liberal like Malone while he is stoned
yea, and join in throwing the stones
None of that sort of anti-Bourbonsm il
wanted. The man who secures Republi
can votes for Congress should deserv,
them by Drawing the hostility of the
enemies. He should come here the opel
enemy Of the Bourbons.
RepubHcaaism for he past twer,iy gears hd
simply meant UHiOnism and The cRtorccnien
Of Ie lars. The reconstruction measure
were based upon the belief that the,
were necessary TO the maintenance of tn
constitutional authority of the Nation
Their enforcement has been sus
pended for five years, and tn
result is that there is no,
30 much of genuine acquiescence in III
amendments 10 the Constitution that tn
exec nfederates in many districts wi
furnish all the force necessary to ovel
come resistance TO the laws. Every la,
and order man is Republican withou
knowing it, And so every anti-Bourbon-
by which wemean every Democrat who
unwillingto sustain fraud and yiolenc
in elections for party success-ever
nti-Bourbon is as good Republican t
this country now needs. We are not no,
divided on slavery extension, rebellion
abolition, or force-bills. These are gon
with the things that happened befol
the food. Living, breathing patriotism
respect fh law, and pride Of country
these constitute the best political cree
of true Republicanism. Beware Of treaso