Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-08-02
SPEECH By HON. J. PRHCFOR
KNOTT.
The radical Candidate Cor Cover.
nor Of Kentucky ''seen."

|
nor Of Kentucky "seen." i
The Louisville Ledger has . graphic &C.
count of the proceedings of meeting held
on the 4th inst, at Pembroke, ChriatiAn
county, Kentucky, ct which that humorous
speaker, Hon. J. Proctor Knott, entertained
the people. The past OF his speech relating |
to the radical candidate for governor of
Kentucky, we give below. 1t makes rich
reading:
HARLAN DILUTED.
haze known him long and well ss q
most genial gentleman, . profound lawyer
and q scholar Of varied and distinguished
Atiainments, and, taken all in all, man OF
whom am personally fond. As q puoho
man am free to acknowledge that he has
perhaps, the advantage of Gov. Leslie
Renowned alike.
AS WARRIOR.
And statesman, his career has been sucn
as to dazzle the enrsptured VISION oil every
beholder with the associated spendors OF
thousand brilliant achievements, which con-
stitute the the brightest gems 10 the diadem
of his couulry's glory. Great applause
His military record especially is a theme
upon which every patriot must delight TO
dwell. Applause
| confess | can not recur TO il without
feeling every fibre aud tissue OF my being
Jingle with a thrill of martial Ardor-
daughter and Applause.) Remember how
his impatient blade leAped from its scabbsrd
when the first notes OF civil discord echoed
along the lowering horizon Of 1861, or how
it cleaned like q meteor along it's terrible
pathway, as he swept like tornado to the
dread carnival or death. The awful subli-
unity of his going forth TO immolSte himself
upon the bloodstAined altar of patriotism
will haunt me to my dying day. (ApplAuse.)
1t reminded me Of Ossian's description OF
Cuthullin, as he rushed 10 the sound OF his
arms like the terrible spirit Of LodA, when
he comes in the roar Of q thousand storms
scattering battles from his eyes! Immense
applAuse.) What deeds of prowess he
might have won upon the CORY fields, what
hecAtombs of slaughtered rebels might go
down beneath the biting edge Of his trench
ant blade, had he ever succeeded in meeting
his coantrys foes "upon the psrilous ridge
of battle the pen Of history will never tell;
for ere be had an opportunity to punch his
blazing brand in the blood Of traitors, he
was called from the paths Of martial glory
TO the more Arduous duties OF civil life.
Great laughter. know we much needed
his distinguished services in the cabinet. |
an willing TO admit that there was not an
other lawyer 10 all the length and breadth
of the commonwealth, from MAysville 10
Mills Point, who WAS capable of dischsrg-
ing the distinguished functions Of tho office
Of attorney general, laughter yet | can not
but deplore the memorable necessity which
compelled him TO quit the tented field aud
bid farewell for ever 10 ''All the pomp and
Circumstance of glorious WAT" Ia fact, |
consider the resignation of General Harlan
as the direst calamity that could have befAl-
len our beloved eountry under the circu ms
tSnces, laughter for Hm satisfied that had
the confederate leaders been convinced that
there was no other means OF escaping q
direct conflict with Gen. Harlan upon the
open field, they would have laid down their
arms ct once. Renewed laughter. Bet
when Lee, and Johnston, and BeAuregkrd
RscettAined that Gen. Harlan had resigned,
they pluckej up fresh courage and deter
mined to prosecute the war TO the bitter end
Laughter.
II can, however, be said Of General HAT-
Ian AS it can of but few military heroes OF
equal prowess and EenoSn, that when his
teAr-dImmed eye rested for the last time
upon the wRr-worn forms OF his command,
when he bid them last long adIeu upon
the tented field, he had the proud ssLlstae-
sion Of knowing that be had never led them
into danger IN ms life. Prolonged Taught
or and apDlnnae
But while could veil forever with la
crsasing rspsures upon this de!ig htful theme,
/ would not withhold e fitting tribute 10 MS
equally brilliant and extraordinary career.
AS A sTATEsNAN.
Endowed by nature vita genius capable
Of embracing 10 a single grasp every theory
OF governmental science has pubic life nae
been perfect political Kaleidoscope, exhi-
biting In every conceivable variety Of com
bination every principle and every tent OF
every party that has had An existence on
this continent from the hour OF his birth
down to the present moment, Far back in
the days Of his college youth be was & more
brilliant exempt lhcation Of the principles Of
the old line wing party than either toe god
Ike Webster or the immortal Clay. In
1856 the instrument revolvsd, ard behold al
the respleudent glOries o. kaoE-no ttingIsn
IN al the gorgeous sheen OF q thousand gilt |
teriug spAngles.-In lS60iI revolved again: |
and 10 the simple but com prehensive creed |
Of Bell aud Everett-A triad of diamonds
she Union, the constitution and the enforce
ment Of the laws 10 1864 1t turned again, |
and they we're all the old family Jewels Of
the democracy blazing forth IN q food Of
efGlgence rAdisting the entire common
wealth
In 1866 the mSohias turned again, and
the dim outline Of the third party fell feebly
upon his vision. In 1868 occurred another
revolution Of the protsAn table, and there
we're al the multiplied horrors of radical
ism in al its intricate mAzes of chaotic con
fusion. Applause. What will appear
when IL shall make another revolution, u
beyond the power Of rny feeble inagins-
ton 10 conceive Perhaps he iEs',gmsui
Will explode like o . trs is$ssa.es sszIssfie
corruscation, vhsb a..sia-sr-k If s.sf4g sgloBs
ed sparks will linzs5 4 nsSssEt ~ irss rsA
night sky, and iEsG lssss Ne ressses& 50 70
taI and stsrns 4sssbsss frsmsEapss AZ
pisuse.
/ woald Ike y i.szss EvSE ibis delightful
theme ] would iiEs 70 pA5 hsiipg tri-
butte 10 the distinguished services and high
renown of mis- Ilustrions colleague, Col.
Thomas, who, / understand. was brilliant
ornament to that very efficient arm Of the
militpry service known ss the home guard
laughter who, understand, took SOL
emn oath never to leave the country, except
in cause Of invasion but your patience for
bids Laughter ana applause