The Van Buren press., 1875-02-16
Carpenter.

Ht iNtNS VI 'alulNd1 ltIIS
how Senator Carpenter was received in
Milwaukee after his defeat:
The great defeated came home yester.
day. He came in the midst of terrible
driving snow storm, and was not the
most cheerful man in America. Most Of
the way from Madison he sat alone dis
consolate in the baggage car. Several
of his friends and supporters were on the
train, but they returned their thoughts
from the vanties Of the world and en-
gagged in a soothing and sanctifying game
of n-up--leaviug the victim Of the
political Waterloo to muse alone on
times changes.
1t was generally understood in quiet
way (they wanted to keep it from those
Internal News rcportcrs), that an ovation
would be given him at the depot. And
so, at four O'Clock, a knot Of the faithful
retaners gathered at the ST. Paul depot
to meet him. Bach full band was also
there, and there was a grand and high
toned sleigh, without horses, and with
long rope attached to its tongue. The
train was late--an hour late, and the band
was sent out to blow for recruits. Five
O clock came, and some one shouted,
" Here's the train.
The crowd had by this time swelled to
something like two hundred people, and
promiscuous rush was made for the
platform. 1t was hard luck to be a fat
man in the jam that filled those little
doors. The cars were slowly backing
,.r .'.~ 1~F"~
Here she comes, tail first, " said Al
derman Wolf, just like the whole of this
business.
No, 1t wasn't exactly that, it was some
more expressive word that the alderman
used to denote the position of things, but
somehow it escaped the reporter memo
ry.
1t was false alarm. The train from
Madison was not yet in sight
At twenty minutes past five, some one
again shouted that the train was coming,
and this time it came rear end first, sure
enough. And Carpenter was in the front
end which was in the rear. The band
began to play "rhe Star Spangled Ban.
ner. and very respectable yell went
up from the sympathizers.
Pale and weary looking, the defeated
senator stepped from the car. A hundred
hands were eagerly and hurriedly thrust
in his, and all the inpromptu sympathy
that could be mustered was showered on
him. Then the crowd marched around
the depot, and Matt Carpenter, Angus
Smith, Ed Sanderson and Henly C..
Payne were hustled into the sleigh.
About a hundred men ranged themselves
along the rope; the band played heart
rending airappropria.e to the melancholy
occasion, and the cortege moved away up
to East Water street bridge, thence
to Wisconsin, and thence to the Newhall |
Along the route stood many persons,
gazing on the queer procession with Gu
rlosity, but no demonstration was made
except by the self harnessed team, from
whose throats went up occasional cheers.
Arriving at the Newhall, Mr. Carpenter
stood up in the sleigh, uncovered. his
long slyery hair blown about by the
sharp wind The cheers of the throng
were enthusiastic and smote the ears of
the great defeated pleasantly. Twice be
began to speak aud was interrupted with
applause. At last he found space to
speak as follows: r';s -ytsod|
GENTLEMEN do not know how ]
can repay you for this generous expires.
sion of sympathy have been defeated
l have nothing to offer you--not even
post office to give away. Cheers ]
cannot make a speech to night as have
been invited to do, but before 60 to
Washington l will make speech for you
in the academy ofmusic, and will thank
YOU then. rs | do now, and tell you, in
part. how this job was done.
Loud cheers followed, and Mr.. Cafpen.
ter stepped from the sleigh and hurried
into the hotel, followed by a large crowd
ALL looking as il they would willingly
Z" irrigate. y
Ii is safe to suppose the irrigation was
success, for subsequently the same
crowd gathered about the sleigh and
drew Mr.. Carpenter to his residence
Worn and weary as he was, he still
bore gamey gallus look--much like
that ofa magnificent game cock beaten
in hard fought battle.
The sympathy Of his friends was warm.
ly expressed, and was an offering that
must have been very gratefully received.