The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-01-23
WASHINGTON Letter.
From our regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, lSo

WASHINGTON, Jan. ~, 1000
During the past week the debates and
octs of Congress have touched a variety
of subjects. The French Spoliation bill,
which was first brought up eighty-three
wears ago. has passed both houses, and
the Nicarauguan bill, which opens up
the widest and gIavest possibilities, has
inst been debated. Jefferson Davis ana
Tecumseh Sherman have both reVlslteu
the plimpses of the moon, ana the sen
ate has voted to restore General GranI
to his rank in the army. Ihere was
Considerable surprise expressed at the
fsct that Democratic Senators voted
with the Republicans to restore Gener-
al Grant. but more surprise will be ex-
pressed ii the Democratic House shall
allow The bill to become a law.
Human idolatry never reached more
snnreme depth than in its worship OF
Grant. The country does not owe as
much to him as it does to hundreds of
others. But because he has lost his Ill
qettep fortune through stupidity aud
fIand. and his wonderful health through
prolonged dissipation, the Senate,
portion of the press, and hero OF MIL
iionaires dissolve into maudlin pity over
an example of spurious greatness to
which history furnishes no parallel.
There are decided objections against
restoring Gen. Grant to his rank In the
army. The last time he held power as
President of the United States, be USED
it to disperse Southern legislatures ana
to overawe opposition to the fraudulent
seizure in the presidency oy conSplra-
tors of 1876. The Edmunds bill propo-
ses to place him only on the retired list
of generals. but the Supreme Court has
decided that the retired list is as much
a part of the army as the active list, and
the latter may at any time be called IN
to service.
Suppose there should be another dis
puted election, as in 1876, or like that
which occurred only last November
How easy and how natural chad anoth-
er than Arthur been in the Wblte
Housed would it have been for Blaine
to summon Grant, as senior general, TO
assume command. And with bis Eame
and prestige. and the fanatacism OF his
idoIators. the crime and shame of 1876
might have been repeated. History new
er repeats itself, but folly and crime are
perpetual. These dangers may Ue treat
ed as trivia,ties, since they are not imIni-
nent, but it will be the part of folly to
make them even remotely possible by
placing Grant again in the army.
There is a disposition on the democratic
side here in both houses TO do nothing
at this short session except pass the ap-
preparation bills. The remaining days
of the session are so few and the apprJ-
priation bills still to be considered are so
many that this pOstpOnement TO another
! Congress of all legislation will be easy
TO accomplish.
1t is not among the impossibilities
~. k,rs. yfF-a nd
for a number of reasons, it need not be
deprecated. AS it is now, more than a
year commonly iUteTYenes between the
election OF Congressman and the begin
ming of their duties. This fact has fire.
auently been commented upon as opposed
to the spirit of our laws, and objection
able. The election and the seIvlee
should be brought nearer together,
either by spring elections, or spring ses-
sion. There is certainly no reason why
of two men elected To Coordinate public
trusts at the same time, one should ELI
ter upon office on the fourth of March
and the other OH the first Monday of the
following December,
But apart from the abstract questions
involved, il will scar cely be disputed 10y
those at all familiar with .he work now
thrust upon Congress, that its ordinary
sessions are OF inadequate length 10 eC-
able it to cope with its legitimate busi-
ness. IL is true that much time is now
wasted, and that more would be if the
sessions were longer. but that does not
argue that Congress should not give
itself fair chance to do its woIk.
The Presidents social duties have
kept him busy during the past week
and are likely TO employ his evenings
for some time to come. He has abaC-
doned all hope of visiting the New Oh
leans EXPOSITION in au official capacity,
and has SO notified the board of mana
gers. He expects, however, 20 make a
short visit to the Exposition after the
fourth of March, and then, of course,
he will GO az private citizen. He had
hoped to attend the Exposition during
the month of February, and had cOnse-
Quently refTained from extending his
engagements into that month X