Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-04-04
Washington Letter
From OUR REGULAR CoRREsroNDENT.
WAsHlNoToN, APE1L 4:h, 1850.

WAsHlNeTou, APEJL 4:h, 1850.
The rejection Of Murat Halstead's
nomination was the conclusion Of the
most bitter internal struggle of the Re.
publican party in the Senate that has
occurred for years. o., Thursday the
opposition was !ondly hoped to have
ended with Messrs Teller, Farwell,
Plumb, Cullen and Ingalls,, but on Sat,
urday it was asccrtainel that halt the
Republicans had been whipped into
liue ON the question, add that several
we're inclined to kick over the traces.
Senator Everts made an especially
strong speech, stating that man hasty
enough to attack the leaders of his par.
ty in sudden heat Of temper was too
hasty for diplomat.
Senator Black burn, probably more
or less lnhu enced by Henry Watterson
strongly urged upon the Senate the fol
ly Of attempting I censorship Of the
press and spoke Of Mr.. Halstead as
chivalrous enemy So far from moving
the oppositi'n, hia eloquence received
the same polite attention that is &C.
corded the tender foot who is appoint.
ed to speak in defense Of red handed
horse thief as preliminary to a lynch
ing in Arizona. 1t might even be said
that Senator Blackburn's speech inten.
siiied the opposition.
It was attempted of course to secure
enough Democratic votes to overcome
the opposing Republicans. This plan
miscarried, owing to Senator Payne's
vigorous kicking, and was dangerous
plan at best, owing to the fact that any
Interference in such matters by men Of
another party thqn that in power always
results IN consolidating the opposition.
Among the things alluded to by Mr..
Teller in his sheech Of Friday against
Mr.. Halstead was the letter written by
the doughty editor in 1868 to Secreta
ry Chase, cri.:cising President Lincoln
and General Grant. This incident
was fortunate f,r the anti. Halstead
people, as it gave another excuse to add
to the action Of Mr.. Halst cad in attack
ing the Republican members Of the
Election Committee in dropping the
Payne. investigation several years ago.
How the President Is affected by the
rejection is rather in doubt Whether
or rot he feels ANYTHING more than an
noyance in having been unfortunate
enough to nominate candidate who
could not be confirmed is not known.
Certain it is that lie must recognize the
right Of the Senators to vote for rcjec-
ton on personal grounds, and that ev-
cry year it grows more and more diff
cult to persuade legislators Of the ad-
ministration party that the President Is
infallible. 1t is known that on Thurs
day the friends of Mr.. Halstead We're
urged by the President to allow him to
withdraw the name. This they and
their leader declined to do, saying that
lie had not sought the office but being
in the fight would battle t. the end.
How the rejection strikes Mr.. Hal
stead personally it is difficult to discov.
err from bis friends They are certainly
talking GA stills when they say it will
be greatly 10 his glory. 1t will not
For a few mouths Ohio journals and
those of adjacent states will make fire.
qnent reference to the matter. Henry
Watterson will rage in the Courier
Journal and Louisville Dem ocratc sup.
port will make the gallant Marshal
personally unssvory to the bitter
Republicans of the Northern part Of his
State. Ohio is poor place to be
praised by your enemies; your friends
don't like it. .
Mfr. Hastead comes out Of the fight
with flying colors in the regard that
the most biting and vindicitive debate
could discover in him no violation of
personal honor or private integrity and
no charge Of mental unhtness could be
supported. Mr.. Halstead merely finds
himself in The position of an editor who
has spoken SO painly at times that the