The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-05-29
ils tFrom the New York Herald.1
SENATOR SPRAGUE'H LAST
SPEECH.


Senator Sprague, Of Rhode Island, has
again electrified the Senate and the CONN.,
try with another Of his pungent, stirring
and characteristic speeches. His theme,
like the pioneer effort, was the deplorable
condition Of the country, taking the wins
ky and tobacco tax as the text upon which
to hinge his sparkling etfusiop. Although
on reading his speech it is at times little
difficult to discern what he is exactly driv-
ing at, yet it must be remembered that
one CT Englands most remarkable men,
Sir Horace Walpole, was noted for occa-
sonal obscurity and ambiguity while Civ
ing uttcrancs 10 noble thoughts. Senator
Sprague il the Whlpole of the American
Senate; like Walpolo, he rarely addresses
the Senate, but when he docs be stirs mp
the old fogies amazingly. As was said
of Walpole SO We may remark Of SpTague
his life is devoted to the qualification
Of fastidious aud whimsical taste, and
in measure to retailing and recording,
the political gossip, and fashionable scan.
dallof the day. Furthermore, and in COB
tinuation Of this analogy, Sprague, like
Walpole, il placed in comfortable circum-
stances so far as worldly possessions are
leoaeerned has taste for pictures,
prints, books, manuscripts, relics Of an.
tiqnity, objects Of Ueytu and thousand
odds and ends; in brief, he Is sort of
galherer up OF unconsidcred triHes, with
which he amuses himself and edifes bis
friends. Moreover, Sprague, like Wal.
pole, to continue the figure, is famous
for his letters, the style being singularly
easy and appropriate-take, for example,
the brusque note addressed lately by Dir.
Spraguc to the editor of Rhode Island
paper; and as was sand Of Walpole, SO it
may be repeated Of Sprague; "the most
eccentric, the most artificial, the most fas
tidious, the most capricious of men," he
is nevertheless, just the man for the times
aud for the United States Senate as at
the present constituted. Hc startcs the
old dry bones Of that body with sudden
shock that telegraph operator sometimes
feels while manipulating his instrument
during a thunder storm. Ii he does not
make them howl he makes them laugh,
which i evidence that at any rate ho en-
lists their attention. merit that Garrett
Davis long winded harangues upon
blown.up topics cannot boast of. There
is one thing, however, decidedly translu-
cent 10 Senator SpTaguc's last spread-he
declares that he has not bought the Nd-
tionak Latetiigencer. Here he shows wis.
dom. There il no indication Of vacilla-
ton, no indication of imbeeility of mind,
so far as that operation is concerned. And
while his colleague, Senator Anthony, at
Ia..-r.- r--a ---w - f--.t:--- .l~ s
upon Senator Sprague's stunning oratori-
cal effort on Thursday last, by pronounc.
ing him, with more truth than jest, q
leader OF finance, in the same breath in
which be characterizes Colorado Jewett
as diplomat, and George Francis Train
as statesman, Sprague himself subsidies
amid the approving smiles OF galaxy Of
fashionably attired ladies in the Senate
galleries. Sprague does not like Anthony.
Neither do We. Anthony is envious OF
tho advancing celebrity Of his gamecock
colleague Hence Anthony's wings are
likely to be clipped in the little bantam
State of Rhode Island, and Sprague will
crow louder than ever. Sprague is use-
ful in tho Senate. Tho eightcen-year
year settlers in that body are growing
mouldy-like old cheese. They are get
ting tough aud corrupt. Their Indian
puddings, famous as New England is for
making them, are bad jobs. They require
ventilation, aud Senator Sprague is just
the man with his pluck, brains and cash,
to give them an airing. He can afford
to speak out He wants no Office. His
ambition is to save his country. Go on,
Senator Sprague-the Walpole of tho
American Senatc-you are developing a
splendid mine of intellectual wealth, and
every patriot in the land will wish you
God. speed in your sublime efforts to re-
form the corruptions and abuses that have
crept into tho high places in our political
tabernacle.
1