Year: 1875

Special to the Cincinnati Commercial.


The Republicans in Congress have en-
tered upon a dangerous game. They feel the
country gradually slipping from them, and
to regain it the play has become desperate.
They rely upon Outrages and the disturbed
condition Of affairs in the South, which
they attribute to the course pursued by the
whites in that section, as their trump card.
They have expected to go before the cOun-
Try with the bloody record of the war and
the discOrdant years following, and by
working upon the preiudices and fears Of
the people Of the North, to make secure
again their hold on power.


If the country ever was in great peril it
is to-day. The determination TO rule or
ruin has been reached at a period when the
Administration is weakest in the esteem Of
the people, when the National Govern
ment, as represented by Gen. Grant, is a
decided minority, It is the old story of a
party grown strong and vicious, as well as
blinl and deaf; grown drunk with excess
Of power, plunging TeckleSsly onward, re-
garding only the present with the tempOra-
~ benefits they may achieve by fair means
or foul, thinking and caring for nothing
beyond.


There is calm talk and discussion in
Washington tonight, as there has been for
two or three days, Of the probability Of a
civil war rapidly approaching, that is sadly
significant Of the state of thought and drift
Of opinion among public men. They do
not talk Of a war between the North and
the South, but civil war that will Tavage
and harrow the whole country, from the
North to the South, from the East to the
West. All this may be born Of excite
ment, and may be baseless and unwarTant-
ed, but the talk is among some Of the most
thoughtful and well informed men here.
The Republican party think that, with the
National Administration TO back them,
they are strong enough to force any policy
they may adopt, and they do not propose
to be driven easily from it.


Conference OF Prominent Demo.


crats.


Hon. Beriah Magoffin and John McIIen-
ry, Of Kentucky, Wash. Mclean, Of Ohio,
Duncan F. Kenner, Of Louisiana, Thomas,
Of Maryland, and other prominent Demo-
Gratis, held a meeting here to-day TO con-
slider the situation. The discussion was
stormy and fruitless, the Eastern men az
guing a conservative policy in all things,
while the Western representatives were for
carrying the war into Africa at all points.
Mclean absorbed so much time with the
airing of his initiation theories as to induce
the remark that she had gone crazy on the
subject"


The Republican Leaders not Hopeful.


Special TO the Cincinnati Enquirer.


Prominent Republicans in Congress are
exceedingly concerned at the effect of the
Louisiana question upon their party, and
are by no means hopeful that Grants mes
sage viii tend to help them out Of their
difficulties. They generally agree that
something ought to be done, but can not
agree what it shall be, and are looking to
the Democrats to help them to fix upon a
policy. At present the outlook for a new
election is not favorable.


Increased Tax On whisky.


1t is understood that the Treasury De-
paTtment is preparing bill which will be
laid before the Committee Of Ways and
Means within a week, to increase the tax
on whisky ten cents a gallon. The propO-
sition will be resisted by Mr.. Beck, and
possibly by other members representing ag-
Ticultural constituencies, but the commit
tee as a whole is expected TO favor it. There
is danger Of the measure passing Congress,
as there is a powerful interest of those hold
ing stocks of whisky, which is exerted for
the measure, as it would at once raise the
price Of the article.


The Freedmen's Bank.


Judge Durham, of the subcommittee on !
Banking and Currency, has drawn two |
bills on the subject of the Freedmen's !
Savings and Trust Company, and also pre- |
pared a report, which will probably be |
agreed to by the full committee. After |
going on TO show the bad financial |
condition Of the institution, the re-
port takes decided ground against the |
Of many Of the depOSitoT |
for the Government to assume the losses, |
and also against the request for the Gov |
to advance a sum equal TO the /
cash value Of the assets. As there are /
1900 depOsitOnS situated IN eleven States, /
having sums due them ranging from one /
dollar to seven thousand dollars, the COM |
mittee deems it practicable to pay pro /
rata Of five per cent, as requested. As /
a large amount of money in the bank IS
now lying idle, it is arranged for this to be
invested in I United States bonds, unless
dividend be speedily made. The Commit
tee is of opinion that it is eXpedient for the
to buy the building near the
Treasury Department, now used by the
bank. and The adjacent lots, which will to-
gether cost about S32j, 600, and il reported |
a special bill for this purpose II this pur-
chase be made, dividend Of twenty per
cent. can be made at an early day. The
report is very weighty and judicious, and
the bills are well adapted to protect the in
terests of the unfortunate depositOrs.