The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-18
DON PIATT In THE KEPORTERy
GALLERY.
A PAW PEN AND INK sKETcHEs-MESARD-AN
UNHAPPY MISTAKE.

UNHAPPY MISTAKE.
washington Correspondence Cincinnati CommsrcisLl
took my seat humbly and with all due defer
tnce, in the reporters gallery, and found that
science had again interviewed, and as hearing Is
necessary TO the reporter, clear, easy hearing Is
impossible. And / sat and marveled at this.
American political greatness lives through the
a hearing would only confuse. The fertile brain
and busy pen Of our craft build up the renown OF
the right honorables below, and finds the task al
the easier from being removed from the gross
foundations. This is the fixed opinion of the po-
litical word hereabout. and let no man doubt, for
have we not two speeches on record in the Con-
gressioDsl Globe, word for word, the same deliv-
cred by two honorebes OF the House, some
rogue Of a reporter having sold the same article
TO the two upsuspecting Solons. Aud this further
demonstrates an extraordinary fact that In the
delivering Of those long. winded efforts. no one
lis sens.
sat, chin on hand, looking down into this cave
OF the winds called the House of Representatives,
ald noticed some curious things. saw tall.
slender, gentlemanly individual stalking along in
the rear Of the seats. and was struck with his air
Of refinement. ! had some difficulty 10 convincing
myself that this was the infamous Fernando Wood.
Appearances are deceptive. 1
Henry Clay introduced an elaborate style OF
poiteness that certain set OF oldschool politi-
clans affect. The word "sir" occurs frequently
10 their talk, and there is a sort stted condescen-
sion toward the listener that would be offensive
were IL not so gro'esque and amusing. Any one
wishing TO study this sort OF thing can get speci-
men by listening to our new senator. Allen u.
Thurman. who copied Il from his noted uncle,
Senator Allen, who got the article fresh from the
immortal old Harry himself. The venerable II.
@. gave an air of originality to his style by talking
like negro; with that tremendous voice OF bis he
would roar out 1.-The wsh pahrty in peace and the
Certain Nol thern politicians have the manner
without the negro talk, and Fernando Is noted
example. The gallant Gen. Dan. Sickles is an
other noted example. When under IRE 10 the
hottest OF a doubtful conflict he would smooth
down his moustache and give his orders in slow.
measured tone, always commencing, "you will
please ORDER" etc.
Wen, this sort Of thing is good enough. 1t is
certainly very entertaining.
The most noted figure on the noor, at the
present writing, is Benjamin, unpopuary called
1.-the Beast" His remarkable victory gives him,
II possible, more positive air than he possessed
before. Be evidently believes that he carries the
Republican organization within the rim OF his ca
pacious telly. And must confess that In the
late contest my sympathles were With the much
abused. He reminds fhe continually OF Mirabeau.
He has the same coDceit, audacity, and IL not his
Inferior in brain. If the interruptions reporters
o. Europe called historians can be relied on, the
great MiraBeau had, too, his taste for spoons.
All the proper people attacked Butler. am 80
sick of nice people-proper people 10 our party.
abhor the respectable platitudes. Possessing
more real rascslity than any Organization ever
known to humanity, we are dying of an over dose
| OF propriety. Our thievish fingers are covered
| With kid gloves and we plumber the poor sgricul-
tuTsts. and rob the treasury, with grace and re-
fnemeDt really beautiful.
benjamin stalked 70 and fro. with an easy air
| Of power, and when he stopped, lite crowd
| gathered about him. and. generally, the much
| abused had his arms about some ones, or some
two's necks and the evidence Of affection wasin'
| tense.
| By far the most significant object seen on the
! floor was the hon. Mr.. Menard. Congressman elect
from Louisiana. IL was the first razor, rather,
the first shade of the coming cloud. The race is
to be represented on the floor OF Congress. and
looked with some interest On this first specimen.
He is man of about forty i've, of medium size as
| to height well formed, with an intelligent face
rather good head, and Of Q bright mulstto color.
he is said to be an amiable gentleman and quite
cloak room, and stood alone. Ny friends, the hot
pospelert. did not surround him much. and BaiIer
1.-THE Beast) did not put his arms around his neck.
The spirit moved me to 60 around and call out
my coored friend, and get his history and his
views. i sent IN my name. saying to the door.
| keeper, "Give my name to Mr.. Menard, OF
Louisiana, and say that would be glad to see
| him. t.t
'sCertanIy. sir,r responded the polite door
keeper. and directly he returned 70 say that Mr..
| Mensrd was talking TO Judge Spadng, aud
would be ont in few minutes. Soon after tall,
slender gentleman. with q pale, intellectual face.
and long blsck hair. that fell over his coat collar.
siaked out.s !" This il Mr.. Mensrd," said the door
keeper, seeing my look Of smazement.
| II was Mr.. Maynard of Tennessee. The joke
was 90 immense that forgot my ordinary polite
| ness and burst into roar. .r DID,.
II beg your pardon, Mr.. Maynard. ;" said, soon
as could recover lit was Mr.. Menard Of LOUISE
| ana sent for" ...
The offended Caucasian staIked away, disap-
pesring through the green doors like an injured
ghost. The colored Menard in the meantime LETT
the house, and lost my intervisw-nore's the
! pity.