New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-07
MR. BIAINE's WONDERFUL AUDACITY.
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MR.. BLAINE's WONDERFUL AUDACITY.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.I
WASHINGTON JUNE 6.-Mr. Baine's wonderful
,.rtornance in the House yesterday has been COM
80 IN the hurting of thunderbot into the midst
- ,reat assembly of people. Its first effect is
.,mning. and silence for an instant prevails
Nm, this is followed by the greatest excite
nant and confusion. Mr.. Blaine's terrihc
charge upon Proctor Knott and through
~ unon the Democratic party, which has
bsen prosecuting him in the interest OF rval hepuo
t0an candidates for the Presidential nomination,
was hardly less startling, and the momentary aston
,.hment with which it was witnessed, both by
siends and opponents, has now given way to deep,
sornest current of popular feeling which, Judging
from ;ts effect here in Washington, must make the
,,-Sneaker one of the most formidable elements In
the Cincinnati Convention, II indeed IL does HOT
sweep him on TO the nomination itself.
The most striking features Of Mr.. Blaines triumph
Yesterday was its audacity. Never has the Latin
proyerb "dudaoes fortuna jupat" been so strikingy
Illustrated in the House of Representatives since the
DAYS when Henry Clay, both as Speaker and as the
leader of his party ON the floor. carried every
thing before him as much by his daring
as by the magnetism of his impassioned
eloouence Mr.. Blaine took the hOOr
Yesterday in defiance of all rules Of the House.
During the session of Saturday last the day had
been set apart for the consideration of the Geneva
Award bill TO the exclusion of all other business.
Nothing was therefore in order after the close of the
morning hour but this bill. and yet no one
on the Democratic side of the House
seemed to know this, or if he did, had courage
enough to interpOse an objection. AS Mr.. Blaine
proceeded, an exciting collOquy occurred between
him and Mr.. Proctor Knott Chairman of the Com
mittee on the Judiciary Mr.. Hamilton of New
Jersey rose to a question of order, and asked
the Speaker pro tem if the language used was
parliamentary. Without waiting for the Speaker to
reply, and without giving him an opportunity to-,
Mr. Blaine as quick as fash of lightning, answered
the question himself: "Yes, entirely So" and was
about TO proceed as though this the proper way
10 settle the question.
This little incident was a fair sample Of many
others that occurred during the afternoon. Mr..
Blaine continued speaking also, wholly without re-
gard to the hour. Yet, although the Democrats
we're sweating under the furious blows he was deal
hg. not one of them seemed to retain ms
srses sufficiently TO call attention to the fact
But the climax of audacity was reached
whom Mr. Blaine moved a resolution practl
cally censuring the Committee on the judi
ciary, and insisted upon its immediate con
sideration as a high question of privilege II any
one had asked him in accordance with what rule OF
the House a resolution of that kind became ques
ton of privilege, he would probably have been un
able to quote it but as it was 10 one seemed
10 think of this, and it was only after the
resolution was fairly before the House that the Dem
Ocrats feeby and tardly collected their wits, and by
rule which would not stand the test OF parla-
l.. In. hTr N Y "A
reference to the judiciary Committee.
1t was this wonderful audacity which enabled him
10 violate all rules of the House without
question, coupled with his personal magnetism
and the momentum with which he swept
onward in his speech, bearing down al obstacles
that enabled him TO 60 through with his difficult
task and bear away the hOnors. Tho effect has
beon really magical Mr.. Blaine's friends who have
been such from the beginning have been filled with
On enthusiasm such as other Presidential candl-
date can arouse in his behalf Many who were
lukewarm or doubling have been strengthened,
and will enter the canvass prepared to give their
fayorite most earnest and active support.
At the same time it must be admitted that Mr..
Blaines explanation does not satisfy his opponents
IN the Repub On party, as out of it they find in the
letters which Mr Blaine read and even in his ez-
plantations of them many passages which, IN Their
opinion, prove his unitness to become leader III
great reform campaign, and even if this were not
%, the fact he has been engaged in so many and
% varied speculations is urged as having united
hin to fill the responsible position of the Presidency,
or 10 gain the confidence of the better class of people.
Bat while these criticisms are freely made to-day,
II ia noticeable fact that there is much less APP
parent hope In the opposition to Mr. Blaine and one
cannot help feeling that in many instances, they are
whlstlng 10 keep their courage up The Demo
cats greatly Disguised with what occurred yes-
terday. Many of them are very outspoken in their
criticism Of the course pursued by Proctor
Knott. which they denounce as weak and
foolish in the extreme.
come OF Mr. Blaine's friends seem to think that,
from the TACT that Mr.. Knott and Mr.. Bri,tOw are
both rom the State Of Kentucky, the formers
action has been the result of his desire to see the
latter nominated at Cincinnati But there is 10 evil
dencc that Secretary Bristow has had anything TO
DO with the case, or that his friends with his
approval have done anything to secure or TO prepare
evidence IN it. Some Of his most earnest supporters
are Mr.. Blaincs present accusers, but this is prob
ably Nj. BriStow's misfortune and not his fault
CORRECTNESS OF THE LETTERS.