Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-12-17

and important subjects, the reports Of
the Supreme Court of the United
States, showing that he has argued
more important causes than any two
members of both branches of Con-
gress, attest his labors and refute the
ISLANDERS Of the press.
The Senate, in recognition of his
services, has accorded to him its
highest honor by electing him Presi
dent OF the Senate, compliment new.
er before paid to Senator during his
first term of office since the first or
ganization of the Government; and at
its last session, in the face OF libelous
assaults by the opposition press from
Maine TO California, and in view OF the
fact that the Vice President would
necess erily be absent during the SEES
sion, Mr.. Carpenter was reelected by
the unanimous vote of the Republi
can Senators, and taxing the chair
about the middle of December, dur
ing session protracted late into June,
was not absent single day or late a
single morning, and so discharged his
duties that an opposition Senator in
trodnced a resolution which passed
the Senate unanimously, rendering
him the thanks of the Senate for the
ability and impartiality with which he
had performed his duties as presiding
officer. We do not believe that the
people of Wisconsin have forgotten
the great services Mr.. Carpenter has
rendered the country 1t is true he
was Il Democrat at the time of the
breaking out of the war; but no man
IN the country worked harder, early
and late, in season and out, or did
more 10 induce the loyal portion of
The Democratic party TO stand by Mr..
Lincoln in the prosecution of the war
than he did.
And after he was elected to the SEN
ate when Sumner and Schurz and olh-
er eminent men in the Republican par
ty deserted her standard and went
over TO the enemy, he stood consis-
tently q Republican, firmly and ably
on all occasions representing and ad
voca;ing her interests. When ar.
Sumner had prepared and delivered
his great speech which was to blow
General Grant and the Republican
party "clear out of water" Mr.. Car
penter was requested by Republican
Senators to reply to him
His reply it will be remembered was
made without time for preparation,
but so 40 y and eloquently did he an
swer the Massachusetts Senator that
his speech was used during the next
Presidential campaign, as a campaign
document, and received larger CIR
culation than any other circulated
during that campaign.
1t is true that he voted for the "back
pay" bill, and this is the only reason
we have heard urged by candid, re-
tiecting men why he should not be re-
elected. We do not commend his
course on this question, but in consid
Grafton of his eminent ability, his great
service to the country and the Repub-
lican party we can excuse it.
lie has said again and again that it
was mistake, and voted to repeal
the law 1t we were to turn every
man out of office for an error in judy
ment, the Offices would soon be vacant
and none left to turn ont.
That great orator and statesman,
Henry Clay, was so unfortunate at one
time during his brilliant career in the
House of Representatives as to incur
the displeasure Of his constituents in
this same way. The Fourteenth Con-
gress, of which he was member, in
creased the pay of members, and he
voted for the bill. As this happened
at the time when the country was ex
hausted by the war OF 1912, his con
sttuents were very indignant, and the
great statesman came near losing his
seat. But he was re elected. Every
man who calmly reviews the history
Of our country since that time, will
admit that it would have been great
calamity had he been defeated and
thrown out of public life; and still he
was no more popular, and perhaps no
more an orator and statesman in that
time, than Senator Carpenter is in this.
That great statesman, our lncortupt
able and distinguished feIIow-citlzen,
g. G. Washburn, who, as reward for
his great service TO his country, has
been made by the people of this State
Il Member of Congress three times be
fore the war; a Major General daring
the war; Member OF Congress twice
since The war; on two different occa
SONS a candidate for the office OF
United States Senator; once Governor
OF the State; and once defeated by
Is 600 majority, was 40 unfortunate
while member of the Thirty Fourth
Congress as to incur the dlspleasure
of his constituents in this same way.
He voted for bill increasing the pay.
the act reaching back in its operations
to March 4, 1855 The bill passed by
one majority Mr.. Was burn voted
for the bill and Mr. BlIinghurst, the
member from this District, voted
against It. Mr.. Washburn's BACK
PAY WAS $4,000 IN GOLD. He
TOOK IT. But MS c nStituenfS con
side,qnq the many important services he
had rendered his country oohite IN Con
gress, during the Cdr and tchite Cor
eraor not only h1ue forgiven HIN, b"I
seem almost to hare forgotten that hi
eUer did it Every calm refacting
mind will see at glance what great
calamity would have come over oul
country If his constituents had de
feated him for this error in judgment
and he had never thereafter been per-
mlttcd 'to enjoy the sweets Of pubic
life" We believe Mr.. Carpenter
great ability, his eminent service, hi:
fidelity to his party entities hin to the
same consideIa ate treatment from {
generous constituency that those grea
statesman, Cadwallader c. Washburr
and Henry Clay have received.
There are also at tn time specld