Evening journal., 1907-10-23
What | Know About
Delaware Politics and
Other Things
TWENTY. sEcoNp ARTICLE.
By Washington Hastings

remarkable one In Delaware General Grant having been
nominated by the Republicans at their National Con-
and by accamaton his election in the following autumn
regarded by all a foregone conclusion The
for the forms sake and to keep their party organza
ton intact they certainly could have had no hope of
said the time that the Democratic National Con-
venton would have gladly offered their nomination to
inmaon that he would accept IT, but this they could
not get notwithstanding the fact that Grant had been
Andrew johnson, though a radical and enthusiastic
Republican during the and elected vice president on
extremely bitter and vndictive towards the South for
while after his succession to the Presidency the death
Of Mr. Lincoln wanted jefferson Davis General Lee and
other prominent southern man hung shot or inn
prisoned reasonand he would have done it, guess,
II he had had his way and General Grant had not IN
terfered and stopped him-suddenly "Tyerized," he
turned completely around and became just violent
and Nindicve opponent OF the Republican party as
he had formerly been OF the South and, in doing
became the worst enemy that the people of the South
had in the extremely distressing experience through
which they were then passng-the early stages OF the
reconstruction period All because my policy" as he
pleased 20 term It, thwarted by General Grant
Secretary Of War and general Of the army and re-
pudated by Congress- backed up by all sensible people
of the country
one Of the results Of this right about face of
Mr. Johnson almost paralyzed we politicians Of
Delaware! it spread CONSERVATION and dismay broad
cast in our ranks and hed our hearts first with sorrow
and GRIEF unspeakabe and then with righteous ndig
nation and vehement denuncation for he Immediately
turned out OF office every republican Federal ohcer
IN the state from the postmaster Of Wilmington down
nulnDNSt
county and hed their places with Demoeratsl The sit
uauon was desperate and almost unendurable In the
not very elegant but forcibe language or prominent
man ON certain memorable occasion we were knocked
higher than kel" And many Of as thought that
George Washington and the other patriots of the
of independence and the Fourth Of July banked
humbugs instituted only to deceive the innocent and
the unwaryi
But after we had caught our breath and became suf-
hcienty calm TO take deliberate and judicial view OF
the matter-a very important consideration for pou-
clans TO heed-we probably asked ourselves tho ques
ter contemplation and mature reflection ON the subject
we doubtless came TO the conclusion with my Lord
Tomnoddy" that
"Naught could be done naught could be said
SO we might as well go home to bed!"
or words to that effect
But with the expiration Of Mr. Johnsons of Office
and the election Of General Grant the political skies
began to look brighter and life seemed again
be worth the living every jack" Of felt
certain that our turn had come again. and that the
Democrats would have walk the plank" thar It
innings again and would recover rights"
which had been so rudely snatched from us. And we
began have better opinion G. w. ana patriot
fathers, etc. and that II things went right might
again be induced 20 FIRE off and shoot off
Fourthl
And soon petitions and recommendation began
be circulated delegations began to be appoined"
in tho interest various patriotic useful party
workers" to visit Washington and the President in
behalf the White House II denied that
right and privilege TO which all American citizens
created free and equal" were entitled
The first contest OF this character that par
ticuarly large and elegant plum the postmastership OF
wilmington There were several candidates 'favorably
mentoned by their friends for the place but the strug
gle finally narrowed down to the two prominent
contestants; and the party those who thought they
were the party took sides and lined up FOR one or the
other Of them That is 20 say all took sizes excent
those whose spinal columns were made OF putty who
never take sides for ANYTHING or on any question until
they know which is going TO win which side OF
the question Is going TO be the popular Then thcy
select promptly and announce vocifefously that they
were always for that that measure. the
may be But they frequently get LETT and fall be-
tween the two stools, for people have dlsagreeabe
not big gun" in the party at time. IL
ever, and somewhat surprised when invited
TO be Of delegation to visit the the
interest of one Of these gentlemen who desrous
of serving their countryafter the IL is
needless to that accepted the Invitation with aac
rity and delight II was the FIRST tinie-though not
tho last by any means-that had ever been called
upon 20 serve the party In position of much dignity
and thought II was great thought political
honors and preferment right ahead in my pathway
ing for and that all had TO do 20 walk along
calmly and with apparent unconcern and pick them
IT, ii one Of the late Senator Ingalls, "iridescent
dreamsl" However the delegation reached Washington
and the White House in safety-there about twenty
of tsand In due time ushered into the presence
OF the President General Grant received in the old
at much greatness around hm.-but very cordially.
NE ranged ourselves around the rather we
20 be properly paced-whie he passed
hands with. each of had General Grant
speak, and 1 utterly surprised at the and
sound Of his voice; instead Of being in keeping with
low and soft and gentle as that Of a lovely we'll
bred womani
The President listened patiently while spokesman
stated with all the force and facts he could
command but he did not word until our eloquence
In behalf Of favorte exhausted when quietly
said well gentlemen. i understand that your congress-
man eve had no Republican senator them is
able to candidate for this place" "Ohi Presi-
dent" said OF number. "our congressman lives
seventy miles from Wilmington, and he knows nothing
about necessities in the easel"
why" replied the President, with a grim SMILE Il
wouldn't have supposed that could live seventy
miles from Wilmington in direction and live in
the State at alli'
(To be continued)