AN AMERICAN LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1205, 2 January 1875, Page 20

AN AMERICAN LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.)

The great subject now in the States is the approaching electoral campaign, and all the efforts of journalism and canvassing are being put forth with an energy that forebodes a tight struggle between the various parties, though the Republicans are likely to have the best of it, in spite of the hard-working of the Democrats. An election in .Amevici means something more than in other countries. Every nerve and sinew is strained, and the interest taken in the result, and the preliminaries, by people of the lowest classes even is astonishing. The newspapers teem with election articles and the reports of proceedings at election meetings, and every occurrence of even the commonest nature, which would pass by unnoticed under ordinary circumstances, is seized upon as a bnsis upon which to rest an accusation or defend a policy. With the influence which the newspaper has in Amerija, and the zest with which it is read and discussed, the trumpet note of the coming hostilities are heard by everyone, even in the remotest corner of California, and the ensuing fall is likely to be a very lively one. Parties are sufficiently well-matched to make the contest a severe and long one, as each is confident of the result, and events have not been wanting to presage a more than ordinary excitement when the candidates actually appear on the hustings. The several parties have already decided upon those whom they will support, or the " ticket," as it is called, at various conventions held for the purpose — and to these nominations they will stick with all the power of their party. The unique feature of American journalism, the " Personal Interviewer," is abroad in all his übiquity and precociousness, and the leading papers daily publish the views of eminent men on the political situation, with comments favourable or adverse, according to the leanings of the journal. We are likely to hear of exciteable times during the forthcoming American elections. •

Apropos of the elections, there is a subject connected with them which is al3o giving rise to a good deal of surmise and conjecture in the States. It is called the " Third Term Conundrum." President Grant has already enjoyed the honours of the Chief Magistracy for two Presidential terms, and it is now being hotly debated whether he intends to stand for a third election. The great General himself is very reserved on the subject, and the utmost solicitation and importunities of interviewers have been unable to get a definite answer from him. The slightest word from him is faithfully recorded, and its signification discussed with an absurd minuteness, while men in high position are diligently pumped for their individual views on the advisability or otherwise of a " third term." As a rule, public opinion is strong against the re-nomination ot the gallant General, and.it is unlikely he will attempt to face it. Still, he may, and his popularity is yet so great amongst a certain section of the people that he might once again carry oil" the honours. Meanwhile the question is in trau&Uii, and possible successors to Ulysses are being anxiously sought for. If Grant does stand, the next Presidential election presages to be a stormy one.

Ever since the civil war there has been a feeling of discontent amongst the rebellious Southerners at the tone assumed by the Federal Government, and rhey have always submitted with a bad gr.ice to the dictates of Washington. At last, however, open warfare has broken out in Louisiana and elsewhere in that direction over the Civil Rights Bill — a measure conferring equal rights in almost all respects on the whites and blacks. Several outrages by blacks and whites brought Lynch Law into operation, and the long smothered discontent broke out with unusual violence. 'I he people of New Orleans armed themselves and rose in open rebellion against the Governor of Louisiana, Kellogg, a tyrannical man, and his myrmidons, whom the Louisianians affirm to have been wrongly elected, and forced upon them by the authorities at Washington. The Kello'j;gitts were defeated after a brisk skirmish, in which several lives were lo.^t, and the people reinstated Governor M'Enery and Leiutenant-Governor Perm, whom they asserted to havo been rightfully the elected candidates. The Government supported Kellogg, and the matter assumed serious proportions, several Cabinet Councils at Washington ending in the despatch of numbers of troops to the scene of action. But the insurgents, after accomplishing their own ends, seem to have subsided, and at the time I write matters are pretty quiet. The Press has taken up the question universally, and argues it on broad grounds. Generally, the tone i 3 in favour of vigorous measures, and the storn repression of all huch unconstitutional acts as those lately occurring in INew • 'rleans ; but, at the same time, tho lending journals cannot but admit that the President's Government are in a dilemma, as they are distinctly pledged by their former action to support Kellogg, who is distinctly an usurper. Altogether, the affair is considerably complicated, although very serious consequences are unlikely to ensue. Indian troubles still continue, and horrid tales of Indian cruelty are constantly being recorded. Several expeditions of United States troops are out after tho savages, and have fought some successful engagements with them ; but j^rt v£ tli© country m th& W^st j/j etiW

rendered unsafe and uncomfortable from their inroads. The Indians fight desperately, but the regular troops are too much for them and generally carry off the day. A successful expedition has been made by General Ouster and an armed party into the Black Hills region near the Cheyenne country, and discovered much new and fine country ; but the reports of large goldfields which got abroad shortly after the receipt of his despatches seem to have been unfounded. Many parties of prospectors, however, have deemed them worth an expedition, in spite of the unexplored nature of the country, and the numbers of hostile Indians, and the accounts that they may bring back are anxiously looked for.

Probably in New Zealand, even, the famous Brooklyn Scandal, in which the names of the celebrated Henry Ward Beech er and Mrs Til ton are mixed up, has found its way. Thank Heaven ! the newspapers are discarding the nauseous affair, and closing their columns to its disgusting details. The New York Herald has set the example by opening its columns to a learned dispute as to whether Shakespeare or Lord Bacon wrote the plays going under the name of the former, and some most curious arguments have been adduced on either side, the balance being in favour of the Bard of Avon.