Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-16
GenernI GnrieId,s speeeh.

/ NAS
of the Cincinnati Gazette, writes lon
letter describing the debate in the House
1t is written in that graphic style whicl
has made Mr.. Reid perhaps the best painte
Of debates in the House that writes from
Washington.
On Mr.. Longs taking his seat, Agat
says:
From the beginning, the attention o
the House has been growing more anj
more fixed; as he closes the aisles neal
him are filed with a crowd Of standing
Unionists, who have been closely watch
ing the bold, bad uttersnoes. There is 6
| general return to the seats, and cluster.
ing toward the center front, Wdere Gar
field sits; while few Democrats take the
hand Of their speaker, and the rest ex.
change inquiring glances, and seem at a
loss what to do.
The hustle and hum Of relaxation that
has followed the speech bushes as Gar.
held rises, and profound stiffness reigns
through hall and galleries.
This man, thus put up, on the spur Of
the moment, to answer and denounoe the
most attrocious speech lat least since VAL
lsndighsm's) ever heard in this hall, but
thirty two years Of age, has never had but
single terms experience in Legisls-
tive body before he came here, is new mem
Der here, and is among the youngest on
the floor. Before he was sent to the Ohio
Senate, whence the war drew him to 8
brilliant career in the field, ftly crowned
with Major Generals commission and a
seat in Crongress, he was q quiet princi-
pal Of village Academy in Northern
Ohio.
The first sentence comes home; and
smiles Of Satisfaction pass from face to
face on the Administration side:
After the opening paragraph, Agate
says;
Mr.. Long has been adjusting his manu-
script on his deck, and acknowledges the
congratulations of his friends; but this
requires attention. He leaves his desk
near the outer row, and comes down the
aisle, within convenient hearing distance,
and other Democrats initiating his move
ment, gather closer to the clerks desk.
The orstar continues.
After the invective, with which the
speech opens, is fairly begun, Agate says:
The invectiVe is terrible, and the in7ol-
untary murmur Of sensation that runs
through hall and galleries shows how
heavily it falls. Longs face was Wreathed
in smiles in the beginning, stthe splen3ii
compliment to his honest courage but it
now grows black with indignation, and he
shifts uneasily in his seat, while the others
der 81 ..1o - L L. =.
TO the flushed face, and pointing, menac.
ing gesture of the excited orator, as the
climax manifestly approaches.
At the close Of the iDveclive, he says;
Here this splendid burst Of oratory
might have fully closed The audacious
advocate Of the rebellion had been de-
nounced by loyal representative from his
own Slate, and the fact had been fairly
that, however humiliating
was the admission, he spoke for a large
section Of his party.
But, not Satisfied with invectiVe, the gal
liant General enters upon argument. nThet
traitor, over the asile, has advocated the
right Of secession, and maintained that We
should let the rebels CO. He will not seek
arg uEuUsto eeainRt it for
he has done that before, but he begs to
call attention to q fact, the mere state
ment of which becomes the strongest Of
arguments:
On the conclusion of the speech, Agate
continues;
There is quiet for moment after the
eloquent orator has taken his seattle
House seem to wait as if for more; and
no man cares TO follow, in contrast with
such display. Then Genes the congrst-
ulatory hum that marks the delight Of the
Administration side; and as the Demo
Gratis turn to their sadly shattered cham
pion, he rises to respond.
There has been an idea that he does not
amount to much that he can write out
snd declaim speech well enough, but that
he will be unable to take care Of himself
in ez temp0re debate. There is soon ocea-
sion to correct the mistake.
He makes the only reply he can make
and makes it skillfully. The opinions be
has expressed are no worse than leading
Republicans have hitherto uttered. II 1t
was not reasonable in them then, why is
it reasonable in him now2 He forgets
that century of time and distance Of
circumstances as great IS the range be-
tween Heaven and He'll, separates him
from them-ihst talking of peaceable
way out Of quarrel is different before that
quarrel came to blows, and after We are
struggling in the very agony Of its turn
ing point-but let that pass.
Enough is shown to covince the Union
lists present that this man requires further
attention. His speech has been announced
on the spot, in words Of burning eloquence
that will stamp and blscken him forever; /;
what more is done may well take deliber-
alton. And so they adjourn. "But worse
renaiDa hehind