Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-11-05
Greelsy's Fellow Members Of Con-
greSS,

Robert G. Winthrop, Of Massachu
setts, was the speaker, a gentleman o
: acknowledged ability, rare culture, i'm
posing presence. Few men have oc
cupied the presiding chair of the bois
, ferrous house with greater dignity o.
greater credit. Abraham Lincoln, o
} illinois, afterward the illustrious presi
, ent, was q member and especially
friendly with Mr.. Greeley. Mr.. Lin
. coin seemed, said Mr.. Greeley, "i
quiet, good naturcd man, did not as
T pire to leadership, and seldom claimed
the floor. think he made but on,
speech during the session, and this BY
no means long one. Though strong
partisan, he voted against the bulk O.
his party once or twice, when that
course was dictated by bis convictions
lie was one Of the most moderate
though frm opponents Of slavery ex
tension, and notably of a buoyant
cheerful spirit. 1t will surprise some
to hear that though | was often in bis
company henceforward till his death
and long on terms of friendly intimacy
with him, / never heard him tell an
anecdote or story"
Mr.. Greeley was appointed q mem.
ber Of the committee on public lands,
OF which the Hon. Jacob Collsmer, oi
Vermont, was chairman. Mr.. Cola
mer was then, as ever, fully entitled to
"the grand old name Of gentleman.
OF generous, chivalric nature firm
in bis own opinions; most respectful
of the opinions Of others; with ine
presence and fascinating conversation
al powers, he was as ad mirably adapt
ed to receive tho respect Of man and
the love of woman as almost any OF
his contemporaries among public men.
lie rose to get distinction in the re.
public, being highly successful and
celebrated, both in the executive and
legislative branches Of the govern
mont; but ii was as companion in
quiet conversation that he won the
deepest affection of those who knew
him best.
Joshua r. Giddngs, OF Ohio, since
the then recent death of John Quincy
Adams, was the most noted champion
OF anti-slavery in the house; and anti
slavery had not yet begun to be popu-
'r. Mr.. Giddings was an agitator,
and he long appeared to the public,
quite generally opposed TO the agita-
tion of the subject of slavery, as an
exceedingly unamiable and disreputa-
BILE character. On the contrary, be
was person Of an unusually large and
warm heart, and Of refined feelings
He and Nr. Greeley wero great friends
from the beginning. Mr.. Giddings,
however, was fond of some anus !.
ments and pleasures, deemed innocent
by himself and most men, for which
Mr.. Greeley bad neither time nor in
clinatlon. "Sundry attempts at re
forming what were considered abuses"
says Mr.. Greeley, "were made that
winter, but without brilliant success.
We tried TO abolish fogging in the
navy, but were beaten. / think it
was Mr.. (now GeneraD Scbenck who
raised laugh againss us by propos-
ing so TO amend that the commando.
o. ship of war should never order
sail spread or reefed without callin
all hands and TAKING vote of his crew
on the question. We were temFa
frily successful in voting in committee
TO stop dealing out strong drink %
the sailors and marines in our navy,
though this, too, was ultimately de-
feated but, in the first flush of our
delusive trump member sitting near
me, who bad voted TO stop the grog
ration, said to friend who q believe)
had voted the same way, "Gid,t that was
q glorious vote we have just taken
yes, GLORIOUS, was the ready response.
Gid resumed the elated reformer,
let US 60 and take drink on the
strength of it, Agreed, was the
willing echo, and they went.
Robert c. Schencl., here referred to,
since celebrated as general and di.
plomatist, was at this time in the
prime Of his manhood. He had q ro-
bust frame, a powerful voice, and
magnificent pluck, he was an orator
of great powers of persuasion, and one
OF the keenest, most brilliant dispu
ants of the house in running deba
OF great good nature ordinarily, he
was capable Of as daring flights of
wrath as OF eloquenoe but bumor
predomipated in his mind when not
aroused, and next to his colleague in |
this house, Mr.. Joseph NJ. Root, of the
Cleveland district, MIR. Schenck was
ohargcable with more of the wit of
the session than almost any other
member.
If Mr.. Schcnck were an admirable
specimen Of western vigor, dash, and
parliamentary ability, taking captive
Mr.. Greeleys hearty admiration, he
found in tho captivating gentlemanli-
ness and ripe scholarship OF Horace
Mann, of Massachusetts, qualilie
which won bis devoted friendship no
less effectively. Ascongrcss was then
and as it still is constitnt-
ed--the more'sthe pity-Horace Mann
was there out Of his element.
Among the members of the opposi-
lion, Andrew johnson, of Tennessee,
afterwards President of the United
States, became as well known as any
other to Mr.. Greeley. Mr.. johnson
1t this time had not won wide dstinc.
ion; but hc was recognized in the
house as man Of strong mind and
itroug will, and none who knew him
hen, or ever afterwards, doubted his
manly and unpurchasable personal in.
egrity.
George Ashmun, of Massachusetts,,
vas then among New England's most J
'minont representatives. lilo presided Z
'ver tho convention which, twelve c
'ears afterwards, nominated Abram q
lincoln for tho presidency. A more q
admirable, efficient presiding officer
mt few deliberate bodies have been
oriunate enough to select. Here, too, Q
IS we have already seen, was John r
Wentworth, Of Illinois, then Of the 4