The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-08-18
HEWITT'S GREAT SPEECH.
GOV. TILDEN ABLY CHAMPIONED.
Mr. KassOn Overwhelmed and His
Calumnies ExpIOded-The Demo-
cratic Candidate for the Prest.
dency Always u Uuionist.
MOST EXCITING sCENE OF THE
SESSION.

Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Gazette.
WASHINGTON, August l5.-During
last nights session of the House, after the
disgraceful scene between Messrs. Cox
and kasson has terminated, and the
ame,ade honorable had passed between
them, the floor was obtained by Mr..
Hewitt, who proceeded at quarter past
five o'clock, the gas in the halls having
all been extinguished, it being broad
daylight, to make one OF the most re-
msrkable speeches ever pronounced in
the halls of Congress. 1t was up to the
best days of the republic, and would
have done honor to Clay, Webster,
Calhoun and Benton. The House listen
ed with the most profound attention to
every word that fell from his lips, which
frequently called forth tremendous aP-
plause from the House and galleries. He
began by careful review OF kassons
speech, in every statement and part'cu-
lar. In mssterly, logical and earnest
manner he spoke of Governor Tilden. de
met and disputed everyone OF the charges
effecting 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, eXonerating
MIR. 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 a manner unaccountablc to his friends
and surprising to himself. He knew Gov.
Tllden, he was his personal ard Intimate
friend and associate. Ills record was
perfectly familiar to him in all It's partlcu-
lars, and he was prepared to speak with
full knowledge of what he was talking
about. His whitening sarcasm and ln-
victive, as addressed to kasson, have had
no parallel in this exciting session OF
Congress. The days Of Blaine and Hill
were tame in comparison with this ter
r!ic philippe which was uttered by MIR.
levitt.
1t was the unanimous opinion OF all
his friends that he had utterly over
whelned and crushed kasson. At the
close of his speech he pronounced II
glowing culogy upon the craftsmanship
and patriotism of Mr.. Tilden, and sat
down amidst most tumultuOus applause,
and was Immediately surrounded by
every member on the Democratic side,
offering their congratulations and utterly
stopping all proceedings of the House,
and rendering the Speaker wholly
powerless to preserve order. 1t
was fully five minutes before any.
thing like deliberation could be OBJ
tanned in order to entertain even mo-
tion of adjournment. Never was vim
dicatioD more complete and perfect; and
never defeat more thorough and over
whelming than that which hasson re-
ceived for his unprovoksd and wanton
attack upon the Democratic Presidential
candidate. Mr.. Hewitt is a man rather
delicate in physique, and considering the
| fact that he had been up during the
! entire night without particle OF sleep,
he must haye been greatly exhausted by
| the fatigue of continuous session OF
twenty-four hours. Yet he showed no
signs whatever of physical and mental
exhaustion, but spoke IN vigor and power
that could have been expected only
under the most favorable circumstances.
He has established his reputation by this
effort rs one of the foremost OF Amer
can statesmen and orators.