The Washington critic., 1885-07-29

elscWHerc IIliOllpiiouJ iiit pouJli Aiiici-
lean republics. We also knew in adj
vance that the trade OF that vast re-
gion was worth looking for. What
England, Germany, France and other
powers have long prollted by, it is safe
to say is worth the attention Of the
United States; and the reports of Mr..
Thatcher will doubtless be of a charac-
ter to stimulate on the part OF Congress
such legislation in this direction as has
long been needed.
THE Democracy of Virginia meet in
convention at Richmond to-day for the
purpose Of nominating candidates for
Governor, Lieutenant-G Governor and
Attorney General. Over seven hundred
delegates are expected to be in attend
ance, and much Interest will attach to
their proceedings. 1t is an important
crisis in the history Of the party, and the
convention needs to be very circumspect
in its action. Not only the State gov
ernment, but the next United States
Senatorship is involved in the decision
of the coming election; and it
is well to bear in mind that
the prestige of General Malone is
not wholly broken, In a square
fight, with welldelinetNssues on both
sides, there would be no question as to
the success Of the Democratic party,
both on state and legislative tickets ;
but Virginia politics just now are in
something Of mess, and nothing short
of the most effective organization and
the most popular leadership the De-
mOcracy of the Old Dominion have
ever had, can guarantee them the vic
tory. Personally they have no lack of
material (; politically they should not be
short of principle. III deficient at all
it is in the quality of first popularizing
a cause and then rallying the masses to
its support. Malone, with all his
faults, is an aggressive fighter, and no
less sagacious than aggressive. He has
also the support of James G.. Blaine,
however much or little that support
may be worth.
THE CRITIC fully sympathises with
the people of Washington in their very
natural and proper desire that the re-
mains of General Grant should be
buried at the Soldiers Home; but If the
family has decided otherwise, it seems
to us this closes the argument. Ger
tNinly, if it was the choice of General
Grant not to be buried here, or il Wash
ington was not named by him "a one OF
the places where he desired his remains
to rest, that consideration should be
paramount to every other considera-
tion. AS we admired Grant when liv-
ing and revere his memory now that
he Is dead, we care not to urge course
that might be even seemingly in con.
travention Of his wishes. He never
asked anything of his country that was
unreasonable, and we cannot conceive
of his country as hesitating for mo
ment to comply with his last request
Now that the Secretary OF War ha
returned to Washington, many arm.
officers had hoped that President Cleve
land would see fit to have appointe,
Sergeant Daniel l.. Brainard OF th
Lady Franklin Bay Expedition to
lleutenantcy in the Army. 1t has bee
stated that the President has conclude
not to make any appointments in tn
line OF the Army from civil life, bu
even II he has so decided, it seem
eminently just and proper that sue
a recognition should be made i
Brainard's case, In view of his ex
ceptional services in dangerous an
trying times in the far North. How
ever, should the President adopt an in
flexible rule against civil appointments
there exists no reason, apparently, VIII
he should not appoint Sergeant Brain
ard from the ranks, as he is only to b.