Year: 1878

From our Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c., May 20, 1878.
Two weeks ago, up to the time, indeed,
that the revolutionary intent of the Til
den understrappers and few unrecon-
structed malignants was revealed, by
springing on the House the Potter reso


luton, comparatively few could bring
themselves to believe that Representa-
tive Democrats here could be bullied
into an endorsement of Tilden's scheme


for tearing open the ugly sore healed by


the Electoral Commission. 1t is no new
thing for the Democratic party, to violate
its most solennly given pledges. Aside
from the innumerabIe minor instances


with which its history abounds showing


its habitual infdelity in that regard, it


was conspicuously guilty of doing so in


the repeal of the Missouri compromise
and We are not yet so far away from the


sar of the rebellion as to have forgotten


the perjury of its Southern representa-
tives when they left their seats in Con-
gress to hurry their States ON TO the
overt act of treason. Many of its North
ern and Western leaders were morally
as guilty by the aid and comfort they
gave their ''erring brothers," and there


was added in their case degree of pusil-


lanimity that made them detested at


home and abroad. But it was believed
that even we're their professions ofa new


born patriotism and devotion to the in


terests Of the country rs hollow and hy-
pocritieal as they were proven in the two
cases cited, the odium that must inevita-
bly, attach to reputation oftheir pledges
to honestly abide the decision of tri-
bunal of their own creation would insure
us against any attempt to re open the
dispute settled by the Electoral Com
mission. Tilden's unpopularity South
and his proven moral unftness for any
place of trust were also counted on as
sufficient reasons for disbelieving that
he could drum UP any considerable fol-
lowing particularly in the h. But
the events of the past week appear to
have convinced almost every well inform
ed person here, that the purpose of the
Potter resolution is 10 unseat Hayes and
seat Tilden, and that he can court on
nearly the full Democratic strength


North and a practically solid South
unless his party is grossly nlisrepresented
in Congress. No such enforcement Of
gag law and bullying ruffianism has been
seen in the House since Democracy lost
its control through rebellion as obtained


last week in forcing through Potteris
resolution. The few Democrats too hon
Orable to disregard their word in the
matter at the behest of King Caucus,
and daring to protest, were hooted down
and refused hearing. Made brave by
whiskey, perhaps, and by a conscious
ness of numerical preponderance, the
Southern bravo assumed his old time
swagger and thought to silence all I'M


favorable criticism of his shameless dis
regard of his pair" with his Republican
opponent and as in the days of his un-
disputed supremacy his dough-hced
ally appended this attempt to revise the
rule Of the bludgeon and bowie knife;


but they found it too late by full 20 years.


Randall's partisanship and preference
for the bull dozer's methods were made
disgracefully apparent all through the
struggle. He straddled when he could


but invariably ruled so as to give the
conspirators every unfair advantage. Mr.


Hale's genius for leadership showed
itself throughout by his skillful manage
ment of q minority, in such way as to
completely battle the majority until they
had been forced to show their hand so
Enthusiastically that none need be left in
doubt as to the import Of last weeks con-
flict He did all that could have been
done and though finally overcome by
sheer force ofnumbers, he succeeded in
placing the Democratic party On record
as an iacendiary and disturber of the
peace. He has never failed 10 vindicate
the Judgement that has many times here
tofore dictated his selection as the leader
Of his party in trying emergencies and
his discreet management last week by
which Democracy was forced to pur-
chase victory at price it can Ill afford
to pay secured the warmest commenda-
ton Of friends and forced the respect Of
his enemies 1t should not be forgotten
that this Is more than party question in
which few politicians are interested.
Our prosperity, every vital interest, the
revival of business, if not the perpetuity
Of Republican institutions are involved;
but it Will take the united protests ofthe
whole country to force the mischievous
demsgogues and selfseeking fellows now
running the Democratic side of the Ma
tional House Of Representatives TO de-
sist from their revolutionary pro-
grammc.


Another proof of the totally unscrup-
ulous character Of the House majority is
furnished in the report of Ellis from
Committee on Elections that Rainey,
(coloredD Republican Representative
from South Carolina, who was elected by
6OOO majority is not entitled to his seat
because troops were at the polling places
on election day. Itisanother expedient
devised without the least regard to law
or equity to retain control of the next
House.


No funeral occasion in this country,
probably, ever called out such an at
tendance ofrepresentative men ofalmost
every calling in life as that of Professor
Henry last Thursday MAXWELL.


The st. Agnes Academy, at Memphis,
vas destroyed BY fire on the 18th,