The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-05-14
MIR. DONNELLY's SPEECH.

MN. DoNNELLY's SPEECH.
Having given In full tho letter Of
Hon. E. B. Washburne, We publish |
this week the speech Of Hon. I. Don |
nelly, Member Of Congress from this |
District, in reply to the charges and |
insinuations contained in that letter.
Now that the .faror, created BY politi- |
clans for Especial purpose, has subsidized,
We presume that the people will be calm
aud dispassiouate enough to give the
speech careful reading, rendering
credit for what is correct and substau-
tiated by facts, and coudemning what
is improper. And We trust that think
ing men will be allowed to speak favor
ably Of such portions as their judgment
may approve, without being denounced
as "Donnelly" men-eutirely, CON-
pletely and irrecoverably committed to
and owned by that gentleman.
1t will be remembered that the let
ter Of Mr.. Donnelly, written to Senator
Folsom, Of this State, was brief and
courteous enc, stating the fact Of thu
attempt to introduce q bill granting
lands for the construction Of railroad
from Taylor's Falls vio St. Cloud to the
western boundary Of this State. 1t
will also be remembered that Mr. WASH
Durne's reply was un.er personal as
ssult upon Mr.. Donnelly, involving
charges and insinuations Of the gravest
character. His first point, that Mr.. d.
did not desire the introduction of the
bill and that there is no land to be had
if the bill did pass, is fully met in this
speech. Mr.. Donnelly has since introduc-
ed this bill, which, ifpsssed, secures al
most one million acres of land for a
railroad, which would prove Of the
greatest benefit to this city and the
country adjacent-which is something
from man who ''has done nothing for
this upper country"
The charges concerning the Improve
ment of the Mississippi river and Gin
ton bridge measures are effectually dis
posed Of, and Mr.. Washburne's person
al motives thereon shown up in no very
creditablc light. The same is true Of
the Union Pacific "psss."
We would call special attention to
that part which refers to Mr.. WASH
burne's continued opposition to the
Northern Pacific railroad, a measure
which is vital to the best interests of
Northern Minnesota and also to that
portion which speaks Of our own rail-
road grants.
In replying to the malignant attack
made on his personal character, while
producing statements which thoroughly
clear away the cloud of charges and in
situations set forth by Mr.. Washburne,
Mr.. Donnelly uses language which We
cannot excuse or palliate. Even the
provocatioh, which was certainly most
aggravating, and the consequent warmth
Of mind and temper, were scarcely sufi-
cient to warrant an indulgence in such
expressions As arc to be found in this
speech. This defect is to be regretted
as the reply is otherwise complete,
crushing aud triumphant.
Our purpose in this article was only
to ask attention for Mr.. Donnelly' s
speech, which though somewhat lengthy
will we'll repay perusal Appended is
an editorial from the Winona Daily Re-
publican, the ablest paper in Southern
Minnesota, and the organ of the party
in the First District. Being outside Of
the Congressional scheming of this dis.
trict it can judge of our matters calml,
and impartiaIly. Similar articles have
been published, with regard to thi.
controversy, by the Rochester Post anc
other Of the leading Republican jou,
mails of the First District. The Repub
lscan says:
We publish to day in our news columns
full synopsis Of the controversy between
Mr.: "ashburne and Mr.. Donnelly, and
while We unquali6edly condemn some Of
tlemsn adorned his speech, when he rose &c
make = personal explanation, We do MOI
hesitate to say that Mr.. W. richly meriteG
the castigation he received. Sone of tn
Chicago Republican journals are truculen
in their abuse Of the Minnesota member
while they Lave nothing but words Of sym
patty and encouragement for his villi6er.
1t is the general testimony of Congress
men, without distinction of party, that Mr.
D. has always been one Of the quotes
members Of the House, and the fact that h,
was permitted to finish the speech with al
Its improprieties Of language, proves that {
majority Of the Representatives present BE-
lieved he had been provoked beyond en-
durance.
An infamous SANDER like that Of the Fol
som letter, pennsd and circulated in thu
public prints, by brother member of thu
Same party and the same House. would
have rouseta the ire Of less puRnacious
and combative perssn than Mr. Donnelly
and tho only wonder, with many who know
the circumstances Of the case from the be-
ginning, is that the honorable gentleman
from illinois did not get q public GAMING
instead Of . mere harmless tongue lashing
from tho man whose character and pros
pee.s he endeavored to blacken and blast
To denounce fellow Representative t.
his constituents As 'fugitive from justic'
man who has left his former residenc,
under suspicious circumstances" as
''whisky swindler" and q participator il
various other frauds, may be the most ap.
proved method Of forcing member from
another State to retire from public life for
purpose Of making another vacancy to be
filed by another Washburne, and NAV be q
highly honorable proceeding in the estima-
ton Of Mr.. E. B. WIS neighbors and
friends, and We hope that the strategy o.
the great Sucker politician may meet with
the success it deserves In the meantim,