The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-28

in s.wrang Cling. The House was de-
The y dead lock SEEM
ed insurmountdble. At this juno
ture> Mr.. Hewitt obtained leave 10
speak, which leave was granted almost
entirely because of~the personal estima-
ton in winch be was heldE The Re
publicans supposed that he had arisen
merely to offer some compromise, but
having obtained the floor the lndigna-
ton which had been boiling within him
all night at the dsstardly attack upon
his intimate friend lound vent in what
may Justly be termed the most eloquent
and mastery speech of he-session.
Arising in his place at the Speakers
right, he had endeav ored to begin slowly,
but indignation soon mastered his inten-
ton, and in less than q minute he was
pouring forth an eloquent torrent oil
reiutstion, fact and logic which surprised
the House, mis- friends and himself.
A TRIUMPH ON THE FLOOR.
AS he warmed up to his theme ms
slight form Strengthened, the stoop at the
base of the neck disappeared, his modesty
was forgotten, and the insignincant-look-
ing man seemed to swell into heroic
proportions. Fixing his eyeo Kasson,
who sat with a sneer upon his face,
watching the speaker, he took up charge
after charge and completely annihilated
it by his own personal testimony and by
the testimony of Republican journals,
whose reports made wears ago, proved
the utter islsity of Kasson's statement.
As be proceeded the Democrats gathered
about him, and even the Republicans
came over to his side of the House.
His friends were lost in admir-
alton and wonder; his enemies
we're demsralized. The sneer fled
from Kasson's lips; his cheek blanched,
and finally he was forced to retire to the
cloak-room to conceal his agitation. Mr..
Hewltt's voice, usually weak and queru-
lous. became resonant and full and filled
the House completely. There was no
flaw in his argument; his facts were at
ready command; his rhetoric was perfect,
his gestures vehement but graceful.
When he had finished the whole House
sat for moment silent. Then some
member upon the Democratic side
started to applaud, and, in an instant, the
whole House was IN commotlon. Round
after round of applause was given. The
galleries joined in and the Speaker was
powerless TO call either House or galleries
10 order 1t was u mastery effort, and
proved that Mr.. Hewitt, when fully
reused, was not excellcd either in elo
quence or in logic by any man upon
either side of the House. That speech
accomplished two things. 1t made the
Democrats the victors of the night, and
it made Mr.. Hewitt national
reputation. 1t would have made
him Governor of New York
had he been eligible to the office.
His forte, however, is not public speak
ing. His strength lies in his political
foresight and in his ability as literary
man. He will tell you that he abnors
work. but YOU will never find him idle.
In his study you are almost certain to
meet one or more OF the leading Demo-
Gratis. These last months he has seemed
to be the centre of a perpetual council.
All the addresses which the Democratic.
National Committee have issued have
been the work of his brain, and if his
counsels had been needed the latest ad.
dress of the Democratic National Com.
mittee, instead of being mere pronun-
ciamento, would have been an elaborate
address which would have set forth II
definite and positive line of policy Tor the
Democrats of the country to pursue.
When in council! with his friends he sits
with his head bowed down and with
dropping eyelids, but whenever address
ed the eyelids lift, intelligence flashes
from his eyes and the ready tongue Is
sure to drop kernel of wisdom. As a
private man he is the embodiment of in.
iegrity and honor. As public speak ger
he is great upon occasion. As politI.
elan he is wise and far seeing,
F. III. l..