New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-23
VoL.XXXlV.. NO. 10, 600
WASHINGTON.
Ey-pREsIDENT JOHNSoNs SPEECH.

Ey-PRTSIDENT JOIINSONS SPEECH
cpr.- INTEREST MANIFEsTEp-A LARGE AUDIENCE
rwo.rr1Rns I.pIEs-vIGoRoUs DECLARATION
THE GOOD POINTS OF THE ARGUMENT LOST IN
THE FLOOD OF COMMONPLACE.
lBv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDUSEl
W,suINGroN March Ex-senator Andrew John
sons speech this afternoon disappointed everybody
Ever since be came TO Washington to enter once
more into public life the ex-Presdent has been the
most prominent figure In the new Senate. and his
views on current political questions expressed in
Irivate conversations, have been moderate and.
on the whole judicous, that his first speech from
his place in the Senate has been awaited almost
with impationce. Tue occasion to-day was for sew
cral reasons one long 70 be remembered. For the
first time in the history Of the country has an ex-
President been elected TO The Senate and the excit
ingcircumsaucessti fresh in the memories of all our
citizens, under which Mr. Johnson last commanded
the attention of the body Of which lie is now mem
Der. added interest TO the
The audience was one of those occasional ones
which gathers in the galleries of either House when
proceedings of unusual moment are anticipated.
Half an hour before the meeting of the Senate the
throng had filled every seat, and when the hour of
noon arrived hundreds were crowding about the
doors or streaming through the corridors of the
Senate wing of the Capitol, vainy striving to get
within earshot of the speaker At least two-thirds
Get apart for men were also crowded In the Sena-
tors gallery, Frederick Dluglass and Phoebe COu-
zius occupied prominent seats among those
admitted TO that part of the house, while
the wives of several members OF the Cabinet
and a few attaches OF The foreign legations
comfortably filled tae diplomatic gallery Gu the
floor the seats of many of the Republican Senators
were vacant. Messrs. COnkng and EdmuDds were
lot there, but Mr. NJ rton moved up from his Gus
tcInaTy place two three seats nearer TO Mr. john
son aud nearly all of the Democratic Senators
present aad gave the ex-PreSdent very close atten
ton. The sofas III the rear of the Senators desks
were all occupied mostly by Representatives in the
last Congress- and number of chairs were brought
in to accommodate those could not obtain seats
upon The sofas.
When MIR johnson began to speak it was evil
deutly with great embarrassment lie must have
recalled the time of his unfortunate quarrel with
Congress and its elimination in the impeachment
trial and Lis present triumphant return 10 public
life is an event of which he may well feel proud
At first ne stood between two desks, one hand rest
ing on either and making no gestures; but as he
proceeded and warmed with his subject he recovered
his old and vigorous style of oratOry, and spoke
with all his former energy and power. The speech
q q whole does not give him the highest rank as
Senatorial debater 1t was not Of character under
ordinary circumstances, to arrest and command
attention. 1t contained some strong points, which
were well put but they were partially lost in the
l1lzo Of commonplace arguments and defamation
TIE personal illusions TO President Grant were cut
ting and bitter, and showed that the ex-President
still harbors some of the old enmity. The third term
conspiracy, the gft-taling the fact that President
Grant had in 1850 been cOGClzant OF case al len
rtssec simllr to that IN Louisiana, 50 that he was
not obliged to act in the dark and his unwse selec-
ton of Gen. Sheridan for duty il New-Orleans just
al the most critical time, all enlarged upon;
and tie portion of hi speech IN which Mr.. johnson
treated Of these subjects was the most effective.
His pronunciation of the third term ambition was
greeted with applause. After Mr. Johnson, speeches
were made by Senators BJgy Withers and Ran
do.ph tie last Two being new Senators aud making
q good impression.