Year: 1875

| 'OiuhiVo SpHCNihll thc lculpcI VI u luIB0
element on tho Democratic side of the
House.


A correspondent had printed para
graph favoring the election of q Mr.. o.
Brien, of Maryland, as Clerk of the new
House. Tho correspondent was immedi-
ately waited upon by several Southern
members, who attempted to persuade
him from any further advocacy of this
gentleman. He was informed that tho
objection was not to Mr.. o. Brien per-
sonally, but to the State which he repre-
sented. In the elegant and expressive
language of the member speaking for
the South, Maryland was "puke State"
that is, as he proceeded to explain, "a
Southern State which during the war was
neither cold nor hot, neither Confederate
nor Union" The South intended to CON-
tro the organization of the next House,
and had votes enough to do it. No bor-
der State that failed the Confederacy in
the war should DO recognized in that or
ganizaton. The real South, the old
South would hold the balance of power,
and the representatives Of tho "puko
States would be made to stand aside
To the question, What do you propose
to do with Kentucky ?" tho reply was
Kentucky is puko State too, and sho
will have to step down." Doubtless Mis-
souri, would have received the samo con-
domination had she been named.


Further, at this interview, it was de-
clared that the South intended to claim
prominent committees for ex Confederate
generals, and two of these were named.-
General Eppa Hunton, of Virginia is
the only Southern Democrat now on tho
Military Committee who is reelected,
he should be chairman of that committee
in the next Congress. The South would
insist upon that. For the ,same treason
Whitthorne, of Tennessee, would be tho
Chairman Of the committee on Naval
Affairs.


TO this programme the entire delega-
tion of one of tho largest Southern States
was committed, according to this gentle
man, who was speaking for them. There
was no sham about this interview. There
was no bluster or bravado about it. 1t
was a cool business consultation between
prominent Southern Democrats and
correspondent whom they supposed to be
in full accord with themselves. 1t clear
ly shows forth tho platform of the strong
est party which will contend for tho con-
troll of the noxt House.


1t is fair notice to the North Of what
it may expect from tho day the present
Congress adjourns, namely an active
struggle within tho Democratic party for
tho full restoration of tho South to poit-
ical power, SO far rs that party can now
restore it.


These signs have been frequent and un-
mistakeable throughout the present ses-
sion. In the last Congress the Confed-
crates bore themselves quietly. The tono
and temper Of Lamar's eulogy of Mr..
Sumner seemed fair exponent of their
position. Their conduct toward the Re-
publican side Of the House Icarred with
it traces Of an admission that they held
seats in Congress through the forbear-
ance and magnanimity of great govern
ment. But all this is changed. On that
side now the old spirit is settling down
again, and defantly asserting Itself
There are few men OF large ideas and
cool heads like Lamar, who are constant
y exerting themselves to curb these man-
lestations which they understand so well.
But Mclean and John Young Brown
now represent the Southern Democratic
elements, and not Mr.. Lamar. Repub


ican members who sit on the opposition
side of the House have daily cause to no.
tice the change which has taken place.
They say that at the last session the un-
der-currcnt of comment on the proceed
ings, which flows on increasingly among
the members, contained comparatively
little bitterness OF expression toward Re-
publicans. This condition has wholly
changed and now, scarcely day passes,
and never an hour during political de-
bate, that coarse and insulting remarks
about Northern mon and Republicans
are not heard on the Democratic side OF
the chamber.


Nothing has occurred since the cleo
tions of last fall which has given tho
managers OF the Democratic party 80
much concern as tho symptoms develop
ed by tho outbursts Of Mclean and
Brown. They see that their power is not
equal to the emergency that they can
not crush the old spirit swelling strong
again in tho breasts Of their moro fiery
Southern members and that the danger
Of rousing :he North before another Con-
gress is come and gone is one which they
cannot overestimate. But while they SEQ
clearly that they can scarcely hope to
crush this new uprising and self-assertlon
of the Confederate element, at the same
time they have not the courage to de-
nounce It. And, as of old, they must
even yield TO it, and humble themselves
before it. The majority on the Demo-
cratic side deplored the scene in which
Mclean and Brown were actors, and yet
not Northern Democrat or a Southern
one voted to censure him. The game Is
success in 1876, and for this the Northern
Democracy will lay itself low at the feet
of restored Confederates, MS in the old
time it bowed humbly to the slave power.


The North may prepare itself fol,
stormy Congress after the present. ends
There will be great efforts to MAINTAIN
quiet and prevent imprudent speech on
the part of the majority in tho next
House, but the faith of tho managers that
these ends can be secured is very weak:
The signs are many and significant tnat
the raiIying cry which win win in the
organization of the next House will be,
the South to tho front. Correspondence