Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-11-21
Horace Greeley's Fellow Members
of Congress I'm 1880.


of Congress In 1880.
WINTHROP LINCOLN, GIDDrNGs scHENcK,
HORACE MANN AND ANDREW JOHNSON,
Robert G. Winthrop of Massachusetts,
was the speaker, gentleman of acknowl-
edged ability, rare culture, imposing
presence. Few men have occupied the
presiding chair of the boisterous House
with greater dignity or greater credit
Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, afterwards
the illustrious President, was member
and specially friendly with Mr.. Greeley
Mr.. Lincoln seemed, said Mr.. Greeley
"a quiet, good natured man, did no,
aspire to leadership, and seldom claimed
the floor. l think he made but one sci
speech during that session and this
speech was by no means long one
Though a strong partizan, he voted
against the bulk of his party once oil
twice when that course was dictated by
his convictions. He was one of the
most moderate, though firm opponents
of slavery extension, and notably of a
buoyant, cheerful spirit. 1t will surprise
some to hear, that though / was often in
his company thenceforth till his death,
and long on terms of friendly intimacy
with him, / never heard him tell an an
ecdote or story"
Mr.. Greeley was appointed member
of committee on Public Lands, of which
the Hon. Jacob Collamer of Vermont,
was chairman. Mr.. Collamer was then
as ever fully entitled to " the grand old
name OF gentleman" Of generous,
chivalric nature, firm in his own opin-
ions, most respectful of the opinions OF
others; with fine presence, and fascina-
ting conversational powers, he was ad-
mirably adapted to receive the respect OF
man and the love of woman as almost
any of his contemporaries among public
men. He rose to great distinction in
the republic, being highly successful and
celeb ated, both in the executive and
legislative branches of government, but
it was as companion in quiet converse
tion that he won the deepest affection OF
those who knew him best.
Joshua r. Giddings of Ohio, since the
then recent death of John Quincy Ad-
ans, was the most noted champion OF
anti-slavery in the House and anti-slav-
cry had not then begun to be popular.
Mr.. Giddings was an agitator, and he
long appeared to public, quite generally
opposed to the agitation of the subject
of slavery, as an exceedingly unamiable
and rather disreputable character. On
the contrary, he was person of an un-
usually large and warm heart, and of re-
fined feelings. He and Mr.. Greeley
were great friends from the beginning.
Mr.. Giddings, however, was fond of
some amusements and pleasures, deemed
innocent by himself and most men, for
which Mr.. Greeley had neither time nor
inclination. "Sundry attempts at re-
forming what were considered abuses"
says Mr.. Greeley, we're made that win
ter, but without brilliant success. We
tried to abolish fogging in the navy, but
we're beaten. / think it was Mr.. (now
GeneraD Schenck, who raised laugh
against us by proposing so to amend
that the commander of ship of war
should never order sail spread or reef
ed without calling all hands and taking
vote Of his crew on the question. We
were temporarily successful in voting in
Committee to stop dealing out strong
drink to the sailors and marines in our
navy, though this, too, was ultimately
defeated /; but. in the first flush of our
delusive triumph. member sitting near
me, who had voted to stop the grog ra-
ton, said to friend who, q believe) had
voted the same way Gid, that was a
glorious vote we have just taken Yes,
glorious, was the ready response. Gid,
resumed the elated reformer, let us go
and take drink on the strength of it. ;
Agreed was the willing echo, and they
went"
Robert G. Schenck, here referred to,
since celebrated as general and diplo-
matist, was at this time in the prime of
his manhood. He had robust frame,
a powerful voice and magnificent pluck.
He was an orator of great powers of
persuasion, and one of the keenest, most
brilliant disputants of tue House in a
running dsbate. Of great good nature
ordinarily, he was capable of as daring
flights of wrath as of eloquence but hu-
NOR predominated in his mind when not
aroused, and next to his colleague in this
House, Mr.. Joseph NJ. Root of the Cleve-
land district, Mr.. Schenck was chargea-
BILE with more of the wit of the session
than almost any other member.
If Mr.. Schenck were an admirable
specimen of Western vigor, dash, and
parliamentary ability, taking cantive