The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-22
SPEECH OF SENATOR CRITTENDEN. OF
KENTUCKY.

"AShisoIoS, Dec. II, 1909
Senator Crittenden, OF Kentucky made powerful
Union speech to the conference Of opposonists held in
Washington last night Unfortunately there was no re-
porter present to take down. the meeting being priyate
but Mr. A. s. Mitchell, editor of the st. Louis Epesing
Nec being present, undertook to write II out The fol-
lowing Is the result and 1t is regarded by those who
heard as remarkable of the vivid and almost
literal reproduction Of speech from memory, several
hours after rs delivery. is furnished by him exclu
sively to the HERALD.
Mr. CRrTENpEN having been called to give his Vows
Of the present condition Of public AFFAIRS rose and said
GxSTiKMEN-You have given me q broad subiect-one
that shall not easily night-the present con
dion OF our public affairs, and duties view there
Of Ny share in the work before you cannot BIO great
am beyond tho point Of taking an active part In new
political affairs. think very much like one OF
those Chinese instruments think they called
dinner and suuper .lng sOa %
merely TO summon others 70 work. But IL is to such
@ as this call you There mush work for
able and ready to do It, The subject Of present deep
interest TO all Of u.s. the condition Of national eeis
ature-he failure Of the House Of Representatives to or
ganze This protracted delay presents spectacle that is
painful to the country II is not creditable to the
representatives Of the people, that up to this time they
tive body The fact meet the appreciation or re-
spect Of the country do not pretend say where tho
reproach Of this state Of things lies The position Of the
socaed American members in the House has been en-
barrassng, and they have earnestly sought the ns of
knowing Oh
purposes Of the leading parties OF the House. they
did wisely to nominate their own man. OF their
body and adhere to that nomination They have douc
So It Is question whether they shall not continue to do
80 to the end OF Ae contest may be matter OF feet
ing with mo more than Of judgment, but ] feel ,has
ground that is good to stand will do to fall on.
(Applause.) But beg that no take
this as my advice in the matter. give
this contest for the speakership When how we
cannot yet see but 10 win end. Perhaps the plurality rule
may be adopted, though seems that majority that
fuses to elect Speaker may refuse also TO adopt that
aud IL before doing the opposition party resolve 10
cease casting united vote, then every one must tako
Of himself In leaving his present ground. But here
again. feel that would Ike to be tho ono
test and abroad over the country, find much 10 dis
every true patriot in the present Of the public
mind confess that never before in my life did I feel
such anxiety ior me rate Of our government have
never believed possible that Icoud bring my mind 10 thu
deliberate purpose Of pulling down this great fabric do
not think that any OF have reached that pont and
though we should think constrained to think that
wnen VIC come TO the attempt should turn in horror
from the work. For, think Of IL, what IL the deed pro-
Posea9 IS one too great too vast for any mind fully
comprehend ] hardly dare think Of il. II we cSuld
overurn the Allegheny Mountains It would shock aIi
ns and as by an earthquake; but TO this 20
vernment would DO mountains upon mountains aingf
would send shock throughout the civilized world No
calamity that ever fell upon the nations Of tho earth would
spread such horror among the falling ruins o.
ms republic among them deep sensalion.) Why,
turtles OF vice had Slapped its strength and prepared
the world for Its fate. Corruption had under
mined It's foundations. 1t sunk slowly, and
the process Of dissolution was visible for generations be-
fore II fell. But yet, when /, went down nj last, II
plunged The world tn tho darkness Of barbasm ages
But greater disaster than that woud be the fail this
republic, now in its youth and vigor. believe
tua' NJ 4s o. me ycrss =. surA insa.i calamity.