The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-01-26
AMNESTY.
Synopsis Of COx's Reply to Blaine

his seat. the Speaker recognized Mr.
Cox, of New York. who coveted the
perilous honor ef the reply. Bur
dened with file of Congressional
Globes bound in bulky volumes, and
a faring armful of papers,
THAT GEETLEMAN
made bolt from his seat toward the
center Of the House, changed his
mind, hesitated, turned again, amid
the rising jeers of the Republicans,
and the suppressed murmurs of his
own side, aud finally landed In a seat
hastily vacated for him Immediately
behind Randall, the highest point
among the Democratic benches. He
began in an uncertain, rambling
strain, with his voice pitched up
among the nasal uncertainties. and
excited for a few minutes merely
languid contempt from the Republi-
can side, which was busy congratu
lating Blaine, and a hostile incredu-
lity among the Democrats, who de-
manded and expected Randall. For
a time there was an uncertainty
whether it was the Yorick or the
Hamlet of the House that had taken
up the gauntlet flung down, by Blaine.
He seemed to feel the oozing out of
the interest, and was conscious of
the danger OF losing his opportuni-
ty. His wandering and incoherence
suddenly ceased. He lent his effort
to the ludicrous aspect of Blaine's
astounding revival of the horrors of
war, and in a few moments the
scowling faces, hostile chances, ner-
vous clutching of hands, and rigid
bodies relaxed into conyuIsive mer-
riment, every stroke of which scored
the ludicrous side of Blaine's broad
side. 1t was not so much the cohe-
rent argument or logical reasoning
process which Cox depended upon
TO undue the thoroughly apparent
mischievous results of Mr.. Blaine's
unwise effort, Cox depending more
upon a series of droll differences and
waggish contradictions in point of
fact, and the utter dIsproval of many
Of the main features which Mr. B.
had charged upon the Democratic
party, 1t was a whimsical, witty,
brilliant, cogent repartee, and serv-
ed the purpose of it's author to per-
lection. 1t dispeIled some Of the
growing gall AMI dissipated to some
extent
THE INFERNAL BITTERNESS
which Mr.. Blaine's ill-advised utter
ances were calculated TO engender.
Passing from kindly eulogium OF
Blaine as = man Of humanity aud fair
dealing, Cox declared that the House
would not have been astonished TO
have heard speech so inhumanely
hostile to brotherhood and
alton from the vitriolic lips of But
Ter, but that from Blaine the House
and country had a right 10 expect
better things. He could only account
for this unexpected change of char
aeter on the part of the ex-Speaker
Ivy taking into view a peculiar ne
cessity which compelled him, against
the Iaore humane instincts, to take
up le tail of the bloody shirt which
Morton is fiourishing in the Senate.
Then contrasting this with Blaine 8
boast that the Republican party was
the embodiment of generosity and
magnanimity, Cox traversed the car
pet bag record of the last seven
years, forced legislation, military
usurpation, Louisiana infamy, and
kindred atrocities TO prove that b. S
point was wrong. Then Turning "a
cetiously to the Democratic ranks,
he cried with mock uneasiness,
DOWN ON YOUR KNEES,
men who have come from the South
! Down on your knee7, to his majesty
from Maine, who has permitted you
to vote and become as other men
are y IN contrast to Blaine's double
dealing in magnanimity and vindic-
tiveness, he revived the benignant
| utterance of Thad Stevens, who on
| q similar occasion declared that all
men south of Mason and Dixon S
line should be thrust into the peni-
tentiary or hell. There were mom-
ents when the speaker warmed into
absolute eloquence, carrying the im-
passioned sympathy of the House,
until falling into jocosity, he brought
down derision and ridicule upon his
predecessor, Blaine. Stopping a mo-
ment in his mad career, he was re-
minded of a Biblical illustration
which woGla illustrate things more
felicitously thaa his own periods. He
trippeda down to his desk, brought
out a Bible, and read the 126th
Psalm, reminding Blaine, at the same
time, that the last occasion this sa-
cred writ had bees called into play
was when Judge Woodward recon-
mended it to the benignant Butler,
in one of his
FIERY, U-NTA1NED HOODS
Cox read the Psalm and tile House
cheered vociferousIy. The big books
and faring manuscript which Cox
bad ladened himself with were next
used. With these he traced the en-
tire history of amnesty, Showing by
the record that Blaine, in the com
mittee where the bin was ffst intro
duced in 1870, had favored universal
amnesty.
" WhcnF' said Blaine, springing
to his feet excitedly, and pointing
his finger imperatively at Cox.
s. will tell you when in the proper
time," responded Sunset with ag-
gravating ease.
But want to know nowE'' said
Blaine peremptorily.
Cox stopped, twirled his eye-gIas-
ses, looked the ex-Speaker in the
eye, and said. Well, / will tell YOU
and lie told him, giving the date and