The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-04-16
SENSATION IN THE SENATE.
WASHINGTON, March 18.

was sly IlttllLcu, dCCOiNAIHS ~ u
theory less ultra than Dapwin's,
by the first speech ever delivered
by the lineal descendant Of an
ourang-otang in Congress. AS it
was well understood that the Mis-
isissippi nulatto was to make his
debut, an African thunder-clo,ld
gathered in the galleries, and q
multitude of curious Congressman,
government officials, committee
clerks, and other privileged per-
sons occupied the rear Of the Sen
ate floor. One or two members
Of the Cabinet were present. But
Ter and Garfield were among the
spectators, who, strutted over
from the other House. Two lean
and very black negroes OF some
note stood just within one Of the
doorways, holding their overcoats
and hats dangling ready to fall
before them, while they bent
open mouthed regards upon the
speal>ings and the scene During
the morning hour, while all these
and more theatrical adjuncts were
preparing, Revels himself sat at
his desk, TRANQUILITY paving his
lower visage and beard with hands
resembling claws. and eyeing the
assemblage aloft with q greasy
and colnplacent smile. The dark
skinned DANES and damsels, in
termingled with women of 4 fair
CIR hue on the one side, and rows
Of male heads strung like ebony
beads along the other, lavished
down encouraging grins. In the
diplomatic gallery were huddled
u crowd of superdistinguished
people, among them Bullock, car
pet-bag Governor of Georgia, and
asserted author of the forthcOn-
ing speech. In portfolio on the
mulatto's desk lay the copy that
he was to read from. Another
copy had been sent to the repor-
ters' gallery, where newspaper
men Of all politics clustered. to
witness and describe this singu-
lar event. Morton, of Indiana,
being entitled to speak upon the
Georgia bill when the morning
hour expired, yielded to the Sen
ator from Mississippi. The sena-
tor from Observation-Disclosures, to-
wit-now rose. His seat hap
pens to be on tho extreme left of
the Republican side of the semi
circle, out Of range Of part OF the
Democratic side; so with clumsy
suavity he bent over towards
Senator Fenton, two seats dis
tant, requesting permission to oc-
cupy kis place. Mr.. Fenton po-
litcly asscnted, and in Il moment
more the African lion Of to-day
was fairly on his feet in the pres
ence of tho attentive Senate, and
overlooking spectators. lie was.
clad in black from head to foot,
which set off his saffron complex
ion to the best advantage. Black;
trimmed eyeglasses glimmered
on either side his nose. HIS dun'
crimpy hair and beard closely
trimmed, so as to distinctly reveal
his chronological and physlog-
nomical outlines. Bowing, and
scraping,sand smiling his unp]cas-
ant smile-as if to deprecate the
criticism Of his peers-he lifted
the first page Of the manuscript
before him, and at once demon
strated bis ability to read. This
was q great point gained, and
served to moderate the nervous
apprehensions of some Republi-
can Senators, who had been
twitching in thcir chairs. Accu-
mulating more confidence ana
voice, but, utterly failing as to
appropriateness Of emphasis and
accent, he proceeded with the
delivery, page after page, OF the
speech, which is sent to you to-
night. Had what he said been
spoken with any infection of tone
or manner, denoting that it was
evolved from his own inner con-
sciousness and brain, parts of it
those devoted to vindication OF
the good nature and good be-
havior of his slave brethren in
the South during the war-might
have provoked some plauditory
movement, at least from the gal
lery negroes. Nothing of the
kind! There was not, in fact, a