The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-11-25
speecr Of Rev. John j. E.aHerty.

While some complicated question was I'M
der discussion in the Conference, Saturday,
the Rev. John j. Iatferty delivered the fol-
lowing unique speech, which created quite
sensation, even the stern face OF the
Bishop relaxing into broad smile. To ap-
preciate the address, remember every sem
fence was springing o mine under sorue-
bcdy's feet.
Mr.. Lafferty said: Bishop Wightman, I
think, sir, we are about to get into tangle
in this discussion. | propose to submit a
few suggestions in an effort to Enklnk the
matter. l cannot proceed, however, with
out .congratulating myself in addressing a
presiding officer who has shown so much
urbanity, patience, and kindness in listen
ing to speakers, like myself, so little versed
in the set phrases of Conference oratory.
There have been persons in your high place
who have dealt with us rather roughly.
have watched with solicitude, since you
have been in the chair, 10 see If you car
ried one OF those little patent pocket guii-
lotines which some of Us have seen and
felt in this Conference. This queer appa-
ratus used to sit on that table in front of
you, and it worked SO fast it seemed to be
operated by treadle and fy-wheel, like a
sewing machine. The knife went 80 rapid
", glittering as it went-an appalling sight
to young speakers. The rough rulings OF
the Chair" You are out Of order, Sir i" :;
.sYou are not speaking to the question,
sir" "Take your seat, sir "-these severe
decisions, or rather inciSiOnS, kept our
heads rolling upon the floor till this place
became very Golgotha. During one of
the Conferences, in our efforts to get our
heads on again,-in our hurry and haste to
recdpitate ourselves-some Of US got the
wrong heads on our shoulders, and we cut
strange figures in the debates. Great
laughter.]
am glad to see, sir, you have adopted
different plan to get rid OF uuintcres'1ng
speakers-eoually effective, yet more hui
name: you give them rope until they hang
themselves. shall soon get to the end OF
mine.
Three lessons have been taught US during
these deliberations. The first is, that when
we start question we ought to keep right
after it, and not go off after side issues,
making personal illusions. The other day
a question was Jumped up" but some
brother, instead Of getting after 1t with
might and main, went over into some prl-
vate yard and commenced to worry fine,
fat, sleek Tom cot, sleeping so cozlly IN the
sun. Well, sir, we ull saw how much faster
he got out than he went in. Let US beware
how we go ont of our way to disturb the
quiet comforts Of these Eellfcd, dignitied,
feline gentry. They have very soft feet,
look mighty harmless, but they have got
dreadful, long, sharp claws in .1Nrred am
bush. Better let 'em alone, brethren.
We had fine chase yesterday, and the
same subject is cup" nova kind Of rel
fox question. But we have just run it IN
hole-in rock-pile Of legal difficulties
and are as far from catching the con-
clusion now, after all our running, as when
we started. [Great good humor.l
Brother Paul Whitehead generally carries
pick-axe to dig out such questions. lie
is q sort of chief miner and sapper for this
body. But, sir, how much better for breth-
rem who know which way these suhJect5
usually take to 90 ahead in the committee
room and stop these holes OF legal prece-
dents-the cracks under these piles OF law
lumber. . 81,
am done, sir, and am happy I still
retain my head. | am pleased to Kno*
YOUR manner of getting through this noun
Tain of business is not like Hannibals plan
of piercing the Alps-by fire anu vinegar.
These frozen, forbidding dl1hculties are
melting under the genial influence OF your
courteous and Christian administration.
Mr.. Lafferty is of the Gazette ana banner
Lexington.