The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-23
A Speech FROM Frank BbA1n.-Jefer.

A SPEECH FROM FRANK BLA1a.-Jefsr.
ann Inn. 1e.-After Frank Blair's election
Yesterday 70 the u. s. Senate, he was con-
Quoted to the Speakers desk, when he re.
turned thanks for his election. He said ne
would not explain his position In partisan,
manner. He was proud of the. title OF
Democratic Senator, but he would never
forget these glorious allies of another party
who helped to free the State from what ne
termed q f1aeitious usurpation. The cleo
tion showed that no spirit Of retaliation ex-
isted. All was peace and harmony, and
ali parties were united and determined to
establish the liberty of the citizens of Mis-
souri,. Much had been said about the
Broadhead letter. He was determined
never to explain it to any man until ibis
election was decided. Now he would say;
In explanation, that it must be interpreteo
bv the circumstances attending us "rltlns.:
The reconstruction acts were IN process ootf
Congress- had been declared unconstitution,
n bv the Supreme Court of the Unlteo
states. No bower was conferred on the
military arm 10 try and execute persons IN
time of peace. He cited the decisions IN
the McArdle case, Milligan and BoWies,
and others we'll known; 1t was then the
letter was written. The President, ne
said. then had no authority to exc.
cnte laws declared unconstitutional. IL
would have been perjury to 90 80. Inc
President is not called upon TO execute Tue
reconstruction laws; they are ALREADY eNr s
cuted, but In no State of the Union coulo
an election be held to-day where DeLnoc-
ratio majority is probable that troops
wonld not be found to keep Radicals IN
office. He would never assent to the use OF
military power to oyerawe the people at the
election, That outrage has been perpe,,
trated in Missouri by General Grant ana
if If was an outrage here. how much more
ca was was it in New York and Phlladet-
phia? General Grant had circled New
York with gunboats and filled her street'
with soldiers to compel the stern Deuloc-
racy to elect Radical Governor IN NoVelii-
Der last. At the May election preceding
the negroes voted, and there was no pre-
tenca Of any interference or disturbance
either then or in November. The acI OF
the President, therefore, had not SHADOW
of justification. Thanking them tor the
honor conferred on him. he promised 10 eS-
ercise his Judgment in the Senate IN accord
ance with his principles, and II the !llls
should come when those principles d'nered
from the will and interest of the State, ne
would return the charge with winch lhey
had that day intrusted him: ao
Mr.. Henderson was calleo ioI, anu ~
a good-natured, kindly, and very humorous
s Of Himself f'e and Blair whom he continually
smoke of as Frank, making many local nus,
Which caused merriment: He was ABOUT 70
retire to the sweets of private lie. W!llle als
friend Frank was going to washington 10
he hunted to death by 40, 900 ofhce-seeKers.
He had confidence in him that he would 10
his duty but if he did not, he would De Us
dead on the 4th of March. 1878, as he Glen Her,
derson) was now Frank was va gong IRON 1in4
Int he would come back to them in two
Years yea as gray as a Norway rat. Laughter
He did not regret Blair's election; he was
only l sorry that he was defeated. He thanked ed
all who voted for him, and commIsserated
those who wanted to but didn't. He hoped
that no thoughts of him would disturb their
slumbers. [Cheers.]
THE joint session then closed, and both
Houses adjourned.