The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-09-16
TROUBLED TO FIND AN ORATOR.
Have to take up With Dick 0glesby.

1t was originally intended, says the State
Register, that Hon. VIM. II. Seward
should deliver the grafton upon the occa-
sion of the unwilling of Meade's statue of
Lincoln at Springfield, but the death of
Mr.. Seward precuded the realization of
this arrangement. Hon. S. P. Chase was
next selected, and it is believed would have
accepted the duty had his life been spared.
Hon. Chas. Sumner was the next person
whose abilities were deemed suitable to do
proper honor to the occasion and the sub
ject, but again the grim messenger inter
fered An invitation was on July oath,
1874, sent to President Grant, but he de
clned 1t was then resolved that the
committee should invite Hon John A.
Dix, Of New York, Hon. Gideon Welles,
Governor Morton, of Indiana, and Senator
Oglesby, in the order named, to deliver
the Grafton, Governor Dix declined on
the plea of pressing official duty, and Gov.
Morton replied to the invitation that his
health was such as to preclude the posi-
bility of his acceptance Mr., Welles re-
piled that he could not well accept because
the sentiments he should express would
not be acceptable to the crowd likely to be
present on the occasion, but the commit
tee thought it advisable to press him, and
for that purpose Mr.. d. l.. Phillips made
journey to Hartford and sought per
sonal interview with Mr.. Welles, the result
of which was a letter in which Mr.. Welle
adhered to his original determination. /,
that letter Aug 81, 1874 Mr.. Wellel
said:
'On some accounts should be glad Il
comply with the request, so kindly ant
honorably rendered, and my family are i'm
Fortunate that | should do so; but for rea
sons, some of which | mentioned to you
when here, and others alluded to in my
letter, l must adhere to my original decis-
ion.
The enlarged, comprehensive, states
manlike and magnanimous views and policy
of Mr.. Lincoln, on the subject OF what i,
called reconstruction, have been so gen
orally discarded by most of bis political
friends, that |, with my convictions. would
be likely to give otfense to many who wouc
be present.
Other considerations also present them
selves. The extreme radical men whG
strOye to defeat his re nomination and re
election became ascendant after his death
and prOstituted his name TO their mischie.
vous schemes, which have wrought meal.
culable injury to our government structure
Time will develop these truths. Some are
already apparent, but the day has not yet
arrived to proclaim them to such an assem-
bly, as will be likely to be together at
Springfield"
The Chicago Tribune, in an article on
this letter of Mr.. Welles, says
Ills reasons are noteworthy He de-
ciares That he has no sympathy with the
men who Will be prominent on the occa
sion that he still holds to the sentiments
which Mr. Lincoln promulgated in respect
u the reconstruction of the southern
states that the expression of Mr.. Lincoln :
Opinions at his tomb would probably give
oSnehSe and that the time and place had
pest tie surrendered entirely tothe radical
men VINO gained the ascendancy in nation
al affairs after Mr.. Lncon's death. ana
nave prostltuted his name and honor To
their mlschleyous schemes. Mr. Carmen
ter, and Mr. Morton, and Mr., Contl;ng
Will understand that ex Secretary Wellas
means them when he speaks of ssrsd;cal
men. We cannot now afford to snocn-
iate upon what would have been If PreS;.
dent LAneoln had lived, but we may ven
lure the guess that none of the gentlemen
mentioned above would be at this dav rec.
ognized leaders of the Republican party,
And the St Louis RepuE{ieaa saws
We trust Mr.. Welles will hermit ms 70
dissent from his conclusion thar .stbe da,,
has not yet arrived to proclaim" tbese
truths. Now is Of all times the accented
time In which 20 proclaim them Ara r.
asseinDage such as will be likely to gather
at Springfield, is of all assemblages the
proper one TO which to address those truths
OF which Mr.. Welles speaks. There would
be peculiar impressiveness in the spec
taele OF the venerable Connecticut states
man, standing there over the tomb of Lin
coin, SURROUNDED by those extreme radi-
cal men who 50 shamelessly ''prostituted
his name 70 their mischieyous schemes, -
and the hurting IN their besmeaned faces
the record OF their infamy. But one spec
tacle could De more impressive, and that
would be OF MI. Lincoln rising from his tomb
to confound those who have SO pirated mon
his memory and so prostituted his fame
Mr. Welles commands style of the yer.
nacular which is most admirably fitted
for stripping infamy of the fair pretences
1t NAV assume, and holding bad men up to
scorn 10 their naked deformity of charac-
ter and career. 1t is to be deeply regret