The daily gazette., 1876-08-17
HeWitt'S Great Speech.
Governor TiIden Ably Championed,
Mr.. kasson Overwhelmed and His
Cuiumnies kxplOdod-The Demo-
cratic Candidate for the Presi-
dency Always n UniOnist.
MOST EXCITING SCENE OF THE sEssIo,

Special Dispatch to the Ralt, Gazette.
WASHINGTON. August 15.-During
last nights session of the House, after
the disgraceful scene between Messrs.
Cox and Kasson had terminated, and
the amende honorable had passed be-
tween them, the floor was obtained by
Mr.. Hewitt, who proceeded at quarter
past five o'clock, tue gas in the halls
having all been extingmshed. it being
broad daylight, to make one of the
most remarkable speeches ever pro>
nounced in the halls of Congress. II
was up to the best days of the repub-
Ii ,, and would have done honor to
Clay, Webster, Calhoun or Benton
The House listened with the most
profound attention to every word that
fell from his lips, which frequently
called forth tremendous applause
from the House and galleries. He
began by a careful review of Kassen's
speech in every statement and particu-
lar. In mastery, logical and earnest
manner he spoke of Governor TIlden.
He met and disputed everyone of the
charges affecting Governor Tilden's
integrity, of his union sentiments, his
course during the war, his position
| with reference to the Tweed ring, his
connection with railroad corporations,
in fact his whole political history. He
spoke in emphatic terms, exoneratlng
Mr.. Tilden from every charge against
him. Mr.. Hewitt makes no pretense
as an orator; he is a plain business
| man, but on this occasion he seemed
to speak in manner unaccountable
to his friends and surprising to him .
self, He knew Governor Tilden, he
was his personal and intimate friend
and associate. His record was per-
fectly familiar to him In all its parti'
culars, and he was prepared to speak
with full knowledge of what he was
talking about. His whitening sarcasm
and invective, as addressed to Kasson
have had no parallel in this exciting
session of Congress. The days OF
Blaine and Hill were tame IN compar-
ison with this terrific philippe which
was uttered by Mr.. Hewitt.
| 1t was the unanimous opinion of all
his friends that he had overwhelmed
and utterly crushed Kasson. At the
close of his speech lie pronounced a
/ glowing eulogY upon the statesman
i ship and patriotism of Samuel J. Til
den, and sat down amidst most tumul-
tuous applause, and was Immediately
surrounded by every member on the
democratic side, offering their congra.
tulations and utterly stopping all pro-
ceedings of the House and rendering
the Speaker wholly powerless to pre-.
serve order. 1t was fully five minutes
before anything like deliberation
could be obtained in order to entertain
even mo ion of adjournment. Never
was q vindication more complete and
perfect; and never defeat more
thorough and overwhelming than that
which Kasson received for his unpro-
voked and wanton attack upon the
democratic presidential candidate
Mr.. Hewitt is man rather delicate in
physique and considering the fact
that he had been up during the entire
night without a particle of sleep he
must have been greatly exhausted by
the fatigue of continuous session OF
over twenty four hours. Yet he show.
ed no signs whatever of physical and
mental exhaustion, but spoke in vigol
and power that could have been ex'
Epected only under most favorable cir
cumstances. He has established his
reputation by this effort as one of the
foremost of American statesman and
orators.