St. Landry democrat., 1885-01-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular corresp Ondent
Jan. 18th, 1885.

Jan. I0Ukls 1850
The monotony of the week that has
passed was broken by the celebration Of
the anniversary of the Battle of New
Orleans. "Jackson's day" as it is call,
ed. The election of jackson marked
the overthrow of corrupt party des.
potism, and it was fitting that the
names of Jackson and Cleveland should
be associated in celebrating the victory
OF New Orleans when the country is re-
joicing III the overthrow, through Cleve-
land, of the gigantic and despotic oil
garchy of Office stealers and holders
known as the Republican party. The
celebration here was Democratic, elo-
auent and successful.
Another event was the advent and
departure, all in forty-eight hours, of
Col. Lamont the private secretary of
the president-elect Col. Lamont came
to look for home, and to scan the field
OF his future labor. He had not been in
the city before. He has a wife and
children and must have house. He
did not succeed in getting house, but
will try again, after the fourth Of March,
when a few hundred residences will
doubtless be vacated.
It is difficult to believe that only six
weeks more remain of President Arthur
and republican administration. Prep
aration is sleepless, and expectation is
nj fcI. RhaG &c Il
is estimated that there will be 250,0O0
visitors here at the Inauguration.
cannot think that there will be so many,
but the number will doubtless be large.
As O usual thing the interest of the
country in Washington matters ceases
With the adjournment of Congress, but
this year it will grow with the inaugu-
ration of new president, new policy,
the appointment of a new cabinet, and
numerous other changes in all the de-
gartments Of the public service.
It's edifying to see the desperation
With which large number of drones
and sinecurists are trying to get them
selves converted into real little civil
service Feformers and democrats.
Many of them are shufding over with
an alacrity that is not graceful.
Congress is at work on the apprOpria-
ton bills. The Navy bill has been pass
ed by the House, and the consular and
diplomatic bill is under discussion. |
heard a republican statesman. so called,
bewailing the fact that the trained and
improved consular and diplomatic per-
sOnel which, be said, had been establish
ed in the last eight years by Evarts and
Frelinghuysen, must give place to Dem
ocratic bummers and ward politicians.
Well it will be pity if it is so. but if
this noxious class must have offices. by
all means let's send them to the foreign
courts wheresthey will have nothing to
do, and will therefore be incapable of
harm. Modern diplomacy is an anach-
9onism and farce. There is not the
slightest necessity for our sending rep
Eesentatives to foreign governments, or
for foreign governments to send repre-
sentatives here. We have no foreign
relations. Steam and electricity, and
tine press have made the embassadorial
establishments of contiguous states USE
less, then how utterly needless to keep
them up between our country and trans
Atlantic powers. 1t would be better to
recall our flimsy ships, cruising in for
eign seas, exposing our weakness, and
costing millions annually. 1t would be
better to dismantle our diplomatic es-
adjustments in European capitals.
The press with steam, and the Atlantic
cable will furnish us prompter and more
accurate information than can possibly
be obtlined by our heavy representa-
fives abroad. We will know state se-
erets as soon as they are known by
kings and their ministers, for we will
get them from the same source, the
press.
was walking on Connecticut avenue
yesterday, which is the fashionable
Sunday promenade Of the city, and
among other noted people was Mr..
Blaine, the late candidate. He was
walking with Miss Loring, daughter of
the Commissioner of Agriculture, and
another young lady. The ex-candidate,
4cr. should say, the perpetual candi-
date. is looking pretty strong, but he
nas d sinister face, face in which his
vaulting, foiled ambition is darkly writ