National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-30
THE WISCONSIN 8ENATORSHL

liz HLOCOHOIH Ohh d OhOhIE.
The Republicans of Wisconsin, for their
noble work in the late election, merit the
warmest thanks of the entire Republican
party. Had their brethren in other States
been as vigilant and valiant, the same sue
cess would have crow ned their efforts But
while we were repulsed at so many points,
there was no giving way in the State Of
Wisconsin. They remain in glorious pos
session of the field. But one thing more
will render their victory complete. Their
Legislature is about to choose man for
the Senate of the United States. We be-
lieve they will choose Alright, and that they
need no prompting from abroad yet it is
well for them to know how their friends
elsewhere feel in regard to the issue soon
to be decided. There are doubtless true
and trusty men whom Wisconsin might
honor by her choice. But as seen by Re-
publicans at a distance there is one figure
that towers above them alone man on
whom at this critical juncture of our ma
tional affairs the most ardent hopes are
conferred. That man was the Bayard of
the conflict in the late campaign. He is
now just fifty years of age. Born in Yer
mont, he went to Boston in 1916, where
he was schooled in the law by Rufus
Choate. He settled in Rock county in the
State of Wisconsin in 1846, the year of its
admission into the Union. Ten years after
he removed to Milwaukee, where he has
since resided, still pursuing the labors of
his profession, in which he has acquired a
brilliant fame, and stands to-day among the
foremost lawyers of the land. In his
adopted State he has long held leading
practice before the courts, always engaged
in the most important suits, and acquitting
himself with IKE highest honor. He has
been employed in many of the gravest
cases arising in this country since the break
ing out of the war. In 1868 he made his
first appearance before the Supreme Court
of the United States, and from that day his
practice before this high tribunal has been
steadily increasing. In 1867, the year of
Johnson's impeachment, he was called to
Washington at the instance of Gen. Grant
and Mr.. Stanton, to argue before the court
of last resort the constitutionality of the
reconstruction measures of Congress, and
the result added new lustre to his already
distinguished reputation.
He was sent to the Senate and took his
seat March 4, 1869. His maiden speech
was on the constitutionality of the tenure
of civil Office bill, and was mastery per-
Torrance. He at once took the front rank
of the debaters in the American Senate
His first tilt was with Charles Sumner on
the neutrality question, raised by the con-
duct of our Government toward Spain and
Cuba. On the question of the readmission
Of the rebel States he took issue with Sena-
tor Morton, who proposed conditions which
he believed would impair their equality
with the other States of the Union, and
after protracted struggle his views pre-
vailed in opposition to those of the distin-
guished Senator from Indiana.
When Vice President Wilson was obliged
from physical disability to absent himself
from the chamber, the Senate accorded
somewhat tardy atonement by placing this
faithful and distinguished Senator in the
chair. From that chair during the whole
Of the last session he was never absent, nor
was he ever tardy even for a moment.
Here he showed himself master as in
every other position he has been called to
fill.
He boldly advocated the salary bill, and
defended his action both in Congress and
at home; but under the instructions of his
constituents and the general demand for its
repeal, he promptly acceded, not from any
change of conviction, but recognizing and
bowling to the peoples will. Whatever
others may have done in this matter, his
course has been open and manly. He has
had no concealments and shirked no re-
sponsibility. In his own sense of duty he
made no mistake, and has received without
complaint the severe censure Of the act.
The frankness of this man, the openness
of his nature before the country. is one Of
his chief merits, and one of the strongest
grounds of confidence that the public inter
est, so far as it depends on him, will be
handled in the clear light of day, and that
whatever he does will be done not secretly
and selfshly, but in manly courage and
above board.
In addition to the questions above no.
tIced, he has taken prominent part while
member OF the Senate, in most of the i'm
portant business and discussions of that
body. He has ably represented the views
of the Western people on the finances, the
railroad monopolies and many other topics
of vital interest to the country. He has
held an active and prominent position on
the Senate Committees on Privileges and
Elections, on the Judiciary, on the Revi-
sion of the Laws of the United States, and
on the Auditing and Control of the Contin-
gent Expenses of the Senate of the United
States-of the last of which he is chairman.
Meanwhile he listens to the calls OF his
constituents and of multitudes not only in
the District of Columbia but from all parts
o. the country with patience and an I'M
bounded sympathy and generosity which
few men in Congress have ever exhibited.
The poor and weak find always in him a
powerful and ready friend; and the pros
pect is that with all his facilities he will
never be rich, so thoroughly does he empty
himself for the good of others.
The breath of suspicion has never
touched him in regard to corruption of any
kind. From all jobs and speculations,
from all use of his official influence and sta
ton for selfish or sordid purposes, his
hands are absolutely clean. No lobbyist
can approach him. He never quails before
the newspaper Opposition ring. He scorns
alike their batteries and their frowns. This
is the secret of their venal hatred. 0blo-
guy from such source is the highest praise.
The life ofthis man is one of intense activity
and engrossing care. Nothing but his
splendid physique and power of endurance
could carry him through the amount Of
labor he performs. This alone is sufi-
Gent answer for his private occupations
and personal habits.
ofnoble bearing and popular address, he
ranks as one of the finest orators the coun-
try has produced. His voice, his manner,
his great ability and won1rous power of