Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1876 — MAJOR WILLIAM H. CALKINS. [ARTICLE]

MAJOR WILLIAM H. CALKINS.

As was long sinoe predicted by Thk Union would be the result, Major William H. Calkins was nominated for congress on the first ballot by the republicans of this district at their convention at Michigan City on the 21st instant. No man of his age excels the handsome Major as a wirepuller and convention manipulator. Not only did he in this instance exhibit consummate skill in dividing tho opposition to himself in that portion of the district where it was strongest, hut he did still better, managing to all ay all suspicion of the fact and establish an impression among those who opposed that they dould not possibly concentrate upon a gentleman who would make a more effective campaign. He felt that fortuitous circumstances conspired to defeat him before the people two years ago, and knew' if he did not apply for and receive the nomination this time he was politically dead; hence, being w r ell schooled in all of the arts of the politician, he left nothing undone to secure the endorsement of his party. It is not designed to impute any improper action to Major Calkins or his ardent friends. On the contrary, so far as could be seen, everything done in the convention was fair and honorable. All who participated in its deliberations seemed to be pervaded with that spirit of harmony which naturally results from the action of the republican national convention. There was none of that haughty, defiaut, abitrary disposition manifested which has been so obnoxious in preceding conventions of the party in this district. Good temper prevailed among the mass, and while some were ardent in tfieif advocaey of favorites, few were violent or illiberal towards the friends of other gentlemen who aspired to party recognition. Five or six hundred persons were present; and a more orderly, more intelligent, finer appearing body of men is seldom assembled. For a political gathering it was remarkably quiet and well-behaved. While, as before intimated, several gentlemen aspired to the nomination, all of whom were backed by earnest friends, it was plain to be seen that Major Calkins was the favorite with even many who did not yote for his nomination. ‘The ballot was as follows :

jGrant jFoxworthy. .Thompson.. Calkins....-

Counties.

Whole numbed of voteß 156; necessary for a choice, '79. Major Calkins’ friends extol him highly and give him credit for the possession of many fine traits ol character; but as yet he does not attain to the standard of great men. It is true he is still young. It is true he has had little or no assistance from patronizing hands thus far on the journey of life. It is true he has by earnest perseverance and close studionsness climbed the rugged pathway of fame to his present position among his fellows without much friendly aid. Indeed he has passed through much political tribulation and encountered many obstacles to reach the place he stands. He is neither so agreeable nor so effective on the stump as he is in private conversation. In the company of a few' men, especially if they are about his own age, be is brilliant and magnetic. A more genial, wholesouled, plausible flatterer in seldom met There he is at ease; but place him before a mixed audience, some of whom he knows are scanning every word and sentence for the m jfT i

purpose of adverse criticism, then give him a question of political science to discuss, and he will Rounder hopelessly. His smooth buttery assurance deserts him, and his manly beauty, instead of being an advantage, Is brought in as a contrast by which his mental organism suffers. Evidently he is not a political student, and is ignorant of the subtile science of statesmanship. He is not able to grasp a principle of government and follow its discussion through the devious labaryuths of plausible sophistry to a logical conclusion. Ilis course pf reading on matters pertaining to the government of men and national polity has been narrow, limited, broken, partizan, and was confined chiefly to such illiberal literature as finds its way into the editorial columns of strict party newspapers of the Inter- Ocean genus. For this reason his harangues are mere appeals to low prejudice instead of being addresses to the calm and dignified judgment of intelligent men. This is why he continues to harp upon the inevitable concomitants of an ended war, instead of discussing the questions of existing peace. It is far easier to walvo the bloody shirt before fanatics who bravely fought around the farm, behind the counter and in fat offices during the war, than it is to discuss logically principles, measures, and questions of state policy. No doubt mueli of this tendency will wear away with time, after the gentleman has more experience, and becomes acquainted with the thoughts which inspire master minds, Should lie be elected to congress .he will make a far better, because abler, appearance at the close of the session chan now, His perceptive faculties will into action, and sometime he will discover grander aims among mankind than that which labors lor mere party success. I tie immeasurably more difieult, and requires far greater ability, to rescue permanent peace from war and heal the bitterness of factions, than to disturb society with contentions and fan the flames of sectional animosity. History teems with names of great warriors, but they are few who brought peace and good will among men; therefore we argue that it requires the higher order of ability. In speaking of Mr. Calkins’ election to congress the subjunctive inode has been used. It is used advisedly. Two years ago he was defeated in this district, which ought to give a republican majority 0f1,4000r 1,500, by 665 majority for Dr. Haymond tyho was his democratic competitor. The contingencies working to his defeat are not so many nor so powerful to-day as they were then. . Two years ago his nomination Was the cause of-juuch personal feeling in his party, while now very little of that hostility is observable. Many who were personal enemies have forgotten the bitterness of their animosity. Then, the republican party was responsible for all the evils from maladministration which the country suffered ; now, the opposition are made to share this responsibility, because they promised much and have done —what? Then, no questions of national importance divided the people; now, party prejudices are being aroused and national questions discussed which will have the tendency to plainly define party lines. Tberois still another and more powerful influence at work in Major Calkins’ favor. In the democracy is an element, all-powerful to shape its policy whenever they desire to do so, _\v hich is opposed to liberality and progress. It is that clement which denounced the war, and hates all who participated in it on the side of liberty, justice, law and right It is the Bourbon element which never learns from experience.' It is an element which fondly hopes the day may come when this nation shall bedeolared a weak confederation from which states or sections

may seoedo at pleasure. This element docs not yet accept as irrevocable the decision of the sword and cannon to which they appealed sixteen years ago, but now attempts to accomplish through the cuuning and craft of diplomacy wliat they failed to compel by force of arms. Whenever this faction finds that its party has won temporary success by the wisdom of the more liberal and progressive element, or the errors of republicans, they are angry beoause they did not attempt to do more; they get mad because an ultra representative of the proslavery states-rigbts doctrine was not placed in power; they never forgive themselves for permitting these partial successes. Several years ago Jasper county furnished a practical illustration of this feeling. Defection arose in republican ranks which resulted in a bolt and the subsequent election of a democrat to the office 6! county auditor. Although ten years have since elapsed a few still mourn and refuse to be comforted because they did not attempt to elect a full ticket. However this class of domocrats ia tew in numbers in our county to-day. Most of tho baud are men. of liberal ideas, honest motives, and upright lives, whose earnest desire is to see the government administered in a manner that shall conduce to the welfare of the whole country. But this commendable feeling does not appear to prevail among democrats throughout the congressional district, and schemes are on foot, which, if executed, will certainly precipitate the party into defeat. Dr. Haymond is the only mao who has been able to wrest a victory for the democracy in this district for a quarter of a century. lie is not a politician in the sense in vvhich "thaT

term is commonly understood. He neither stoops to manipulate conventions, spends money on elections nor bargains for Influence. The breath of suspicion has never dared to assail his private character. His public acts arc justified by propriety and right. Not a flaw can be detected in his conduct as a representative.—YqV not with standing all this, schemes are already aloot to prevent his renomination. In Newton county an ex-Confcderate captain finds faultbecauseDr. Haymond has worn the blue, and would not stultify his record as a soldier and patriot by voting with Hon. Ben Hill and the confederate democrats upon the amnesty question. An ambitious lawyer—-an ableman —■ ot Lake county, thinks that the honors and emoluments of office should accrue to the fathers in Israel, instead of being given to the adopted children. Porter couqty brings forward a gentleman of highest respectability and considerable local popularity who holds to an Opinion like that of his Lake county compeer. LaPorte county iB the homo of an agreeable gentleman, now in years of Senility, who followed Horace Greeley over to the democratic party. Ho has grown wealthy from state prison contracts, and can never obtain the consent of his conscience to return to the republican ranks while the democracy have power to let labor for 75 cents a day 1 which is ordinarily w6rth $1.50 or $2. Having secured a pecuniary competency this fine old gentleman’s ambition seeks political honors. The boys need money and they flatter him. Because of the ex-Con-federate captain’s dislike and of the ambition of these other gentlemen their friends cipher that Dr. Haymond cannot be elected again. They figure the majority of 55 ior him in St. Joseph county two years ago down, to zero; the 734 majority in LaPorte dwindles to 400; while corresponding adversity follows the malign influence of their magioal pencils in every other county of the district, lienee, basing calculation upon the admitted .weakness and threatened obliquity

of the democracy, together with the more perfect unity fii’ republican ranks, Tun tfiifoN, from a strictly nonpartizan position, concludes that Major William 11. Calkins has a favorable prospect of being elected to congress next' October by 1,000 to 1,200 ffiajoftty.

Montgomery Queen is circuiting in California this season. He exMbit* hia-wildanimal and colored tights show every day and night in the week, including Sundays. A feeble resistance to the Sunday performances is offered by religious people, but public opinion' appears to be in his favor, find be i$ said to be having unusual success. A local paper at Dutch Flat commenting upon the Sunday exhibition' in that town says that the law making Sunday a sanctified day in California is obsolete, owing to its' unconstitutionality, and those who oppose the popular showman are barred from basing their opposition ou legal grounds, and intimate* that public sentiment is against them.

Letters from southeastern Kansas report the wheat crop being harvested and better than average. It has been a little too wet for corn, keeping people out of the fields, and it is weedy. Garden produce* jd~ abundant. New potatoes are as large as goose eggs. Fruit was hurj by late frosts. Ague begin*' its assaults in some localities. Old* wheat is worth 60 cents a bushel, new potatoes 30 cents, choice com 22@23 cents, castor beans Go@Bo cents, butter 8(g>10 per pound, freshpork $5 per cwt, bacon cents a pound.

Judge Pettit, of the supreme court, announces his determination ' to vote against the democratic ticket, because the press and central committee wanted him to step off; as soon as he published his card announcing his determination, the central committee put him out into outer darkness, without giving the old man a chance. All of the republican newspapers are filled with mortal dread lest he shall be found inside their fold among the lambs which went not astray from the flock. In the Cincinnati convention, the New Englaud states — Maine, New Hampshire; Vermont, Massachu-setts,-Connecticut and Rhode Island—gave Blaine 30 votes, and 50 yofes against him, most of which wore lor Bristow. Maine gave him her 14 voteH, but each of the other states divided except Ve/mont, which cast her ten votes against him.

Says thfe Indianapolis Journal: “No white wash brushes wanted in “this campaign” is a good motto for the republican banner. Poor Orth ! How he looks in company with Ilaycs! Take him into the bathroom and wash off" some pf that South Americau mud, even though a whitewash brush is not used in the operation. Scoundrels of all degrees of criminality may now flock from the United States to the shores of England in full confidence of a hearty welcome. The Ashburton treaty of extradition has been abrogated by the latter power in the refusal „ to surrender the forger Winslow for trial in the United States. A special election tor mayor has been ordered in Chicago to be held on the 12th of July. Colvin declines to enter the field lor re-elec-tion. Maine Republicans have nominated governor Conor for Te-elec-lion. Gov. Hayes is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Gov. Hayes is a member of the Presbyterian church. Gov. Hayes is a Homan Catholic.’