Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-08
From the Correspondence of New York Tribune
OPINIONS or PUBLIC MEN,

associates on the UOor, ana Dy prominent persons
who heard his mastery vindieatiou, and with rare
exception the voice was unanimous that he had
taken the straightforward manly course Among
those who were heard to express their ideas upon
the subject were the following gentlemen: Rep.
resentative John Hancock of Texas, one of the
most prominent, cool headed and able democrats
on the floor, which he presumed was all that was
required in these times. He thought Mr.. Blaine 5
speech would however place him back again ID
the public confidence There was, he said, dan
ger that people at distance could not UNDER
stand it. 1t is hard 20 transfer to paper the mag
netc manner Of Mr.. Blaine, and it is doubtful that
people will read the speech in the same spirit as
it was listened to.
Mr. Kasson of Iowa said there was never such
scene in the House, and while he was despond
ent yesterday, he exalted to-day. lie was
perfectly, even enthusiastically satisfied with the
explanation. He thought there was no stop for
Mr.. Blaine now, and that he would be nominated
at Cincinnati. lie quoted Shakespeare by saying,
"Out of this nett!e danger we pluck this flower
safety"
Mr. Harris of Massachusetts, a calm, deliberate
republican, predisposed to Mr.. B'aine, sand no
other man in the country could take and shake
that confederate house like Mr. Blaine. As for
the letters, he would have been proud TO have
been their author lie doubted if any business
man or any other could show sach manly letters
among their otf-hand CORE pondcnce. lie had
Respondent partner and some dispondent f'icnds
in Boston, but he would answer for them now
Mr.. Blane's old friends could defy the world
again.
Ben Wade sat throu III the whole proceedings
one of the most interested listeners. When, about
4 O'Clock, he lounged toward the coat room, he
remarked to friend, 'Wel, Blaine is the d-st
man to handle in America. lie got the feoels
down and he puts his feet on them. The people
like such man and VII! sustain MIN. lucy HNe
that sort of pluck.
Mr. Garfield of Ohio said, Jim has knocked
tremendous hole in their locker. | have been a
long time in Congress myself and never saw such
scene in the House. When the Emancipation
amendment to the Constitution was adopted there
was a very exciting scene, but nothing like this to-
day 1t seems to me that the disclosures that the
Judiciary Committee has withheld IS important
evidence which will be ruilous TO them, and IN
any event the day has been strong enc Tor
Blaine and his friends" 49,
prominent gentleman in rr'vae HE
and whose word cannot be doub ed, said
that he had talk with Mr.. Knott Yesterday IN
regard to Mr.. Caldwell, and that Mr.. Knott said
he had tried in vain to find Mr.. Caldwells where
abouts bit had failed; that he had no idea where
he was nor where despatch would reach him,
and thai he had not hearc word from him since
the investigation began. 1t now appears that
Knott had a dispatch at atvery time III his peck
ct from Caldwell, which had been there thee
days.
MIR. Southland of Ohio, rigid democrat, seemed
to have good deal of feeling against Mr. Blaine
He seemed to believe that Mr.. Blaine was guilty
of all that had been charged. lie SAID Mr.. Col
fax fell on half the evidence that had come out on
Mr. Blaine and yet the latter appeared to be ms
ing. "A day or two," said he, like this, and
Blaine will be noml4 ated
"Dan" Voorhees, who, while member of the
House, was regarded as one OF the most ultra OF
democratic pariisans said to- night that it was the
most brilliant bold, and daring attack he ever
knew in his life. Mr.. Blaine was Ike horse
man riding at a irightiul pace against stone
wall He must either clear 1t or oe dashed IN
pieces against it. But he had cleared 1t with plen-
Ia az tho With hold limo pf
Mr.. Caldwelrs telegram on the part OF the Judi
ciary Committee was unfair and contrary to the
American idea of fair play and honest dealing.
Every man was entitled to hearing, ana an III
yestigation by Committee OF Congress ought not
TO be of partisan character, but ought TO be Tor
the purpose Of benefiting the public service and
developing fiaud aud dishonesty. He could not
understand how Committee could suppress such
important testimony.
Mr. Kelley of Pennsylvania, who has never
been counted among the Blaine men, said that in
an experience of sixteen years in the House such
scene as passed before his senses to-day had new
err occurred before. 81 have seen, said he, "iel-
low members denounced as traitors to their coun-
try and expelled from the House with the most
dramatic effect, everybody wrought up to the
hiehes pitch of eXcitment; l have seen all the
later Cons titutonal amendments passed, when the
floor and galleries were in ecstacies OF passion
have heard reports read from the desk OF great
victories to our armies when every loyal tongue
shouted with JOY, and have heard the news of
the final overthrow of the country's enemies pro-
claimed in this hall, when people went wild, but
| never behed such thrilling scene as this.
Mr.. Steele, delegate tkm Wyoming, an Old sol
head, said that if to days business did not nom-
nate MIR. Blaine, it ought. Il believe, said he,
ait is worth to blaine half dozen State CONVEX
tions."
Mr.. Sailor Of Ohio said the fact could not be de-
MED that Mr.. Blane's chances were immeasurabIy
the Jud lcary Committee had been stamped.
Senator Allison of Iowa, who heard most OF the
speech of Mr.. Blaine, said it was most satisiac-
tory defense. People could not help admlrng the
courageous and skilltul generalship OF MIR. Blaine,
who was the most audacious of statesmen lie
expressed himself greatly pleased with the posi-
ton in which Mr. Blaine and the republican party
were left.
Mr. Banning, democratic liberal from Ohio,
said if Mr.. Blaine lad any strength yesterday he
had thrown it away to-day. There was not
even hope left in him. He Blaine had made
two rreparable mistakes, first in taking the letters
and next in bringing them into the House. lie
had not treated the judiciary Committee properly,
and the members had been very far, liberal, and
even generous toward him. lie said, however,
that everybody must admire the dash and courage
of Mr.. aine.
Mir. Hoskins of New York. one of the foremost
of Conkng men, sad Mr. Blanes vind!caton
was complete and satisfactory.
Ex:Congressman Thomas and Judge Tuck OF
Mary land, both delegates to Cincinnati, said the
case as it stands tonight makes every lukewarm
friend of Mr.. Blaine positive one. They say
Mr.. Blaine's speech will make Maryland stick to
him as long as Maine will.
Col. John L. Schey Of West Virginia, also a
delegate said he was little doubtful about Mr.
Blaine, but now he could not be driven away from
him with a double-barreled shotgun.
"Jere." HARRISON, member flom Alabama, a
former slave and supposed follower Of Senator
Spencer whose first choice, according to his talk
is both Conkling and Morton, says the proceed
logs to-day put Mr.. Blaine on the top and make
him the next President.
Proctor Knott is probably the most disguised
man in Washington. lis denounces Blaine in the
roundest terms. lie said he had tried for days
and DAYS to hear from Caldwell, but he could not
find him; that he had telegraphed everywhere
even to Italy, to find him, but could not. lie did
not think the dispatch in question came from Cald-
well, but that it was of the tricks of Mr..
Blaine. who had greater facility for setting upjobs
than he had for being an honest man, and he was
willing to tell Mr.. Blaine so at the point OF a pis-
toll or in any other way. He said Mr.. Blaine had
gone out OF his way to treat him KNOTT shameiuily
and he would yet suffer for it. He had always
felt friendly to Mr. Blaine, but could never forget
this iniignity, and Mr.. Blame would yet live to