Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-09-12
Ex-senator Mes HunOr.

Ex-senator Nye's HnmOr.
An ancedote of Ex-senator Nye, that
has been going the rounds OF the press
daily. credited to us, illustrates how
thorough y was his humor. yet strongly
admixed with sense aud pathos, and
withal powerful weapon in debate.
The question before the Senate was
bill to admit the Chinese 10 equal privi-
leses ol cii,Zenship. and Mr.. Sumner had
the floor. His speech Was. as u usual, elab-
crate. studied aud classcal-his periods
well rounded, ana his argument fully up
TO the standard OF the Massachusetts
statesman and scholar. Defending the
property OF suffrage and equal rights to
The enlranchised slave, he urged that the
Chinese, who had emigrated TO and set
tied upon our shores. were equally ent-
tied to similar recognition. His appeal
Tor the children OF the "Flowery King
dom" was earnest, and when Mr.. Sum
ner concluded, it was evident he had
made quite an impression upon the Sen
ate.
At this uncture. SO soon as Sumner
had taken his seat. Nye sprsng 10 his feet
and was recognized by Mr.. Colfax. the
President of the Senate. Grating some
what as follows:
"Mr. President said Nye, his broad
lace beaming with humor. and his attrac-
tive person showing to the best advan-
tage, II was born in the good old county
OF Steuben, in New York State. and raised
upon o farm. My parents were hard
working and thrifty people, fearing God.
and performing their duties with clear
conscience. We had morning and even
ing prayers, in which was always offered
an appeal 10 the Almighty for the liberia
,ion of the slave. ltrudged between the
handles of the plow. drove up the cows,
fed the stock, reaped the grain and NOW.
ed the grass, and. like every other farm
boy. did my share in the home work.
my good mother. God bless her was
u careful housewife, and among other
standard American delicacies. doughnuts
were always provided. We all liked
doughnuts. and think the American farm
boy that doesn't like doughunts is hardly
to be found often watched my good,
old mother, God bless her when she
made the dough and kneaded and short
ened il until il was in fit condition. Mr..
President, the result Of my observation
was that she always took small piece OF
the dough and fried it in the fat before
she risked the whole batch she tried il
first, and awaited results.
81 have listened TO the eloquent speech
OF my friend from Massachusetts on the
Chinese question. live on the Pacific
coast and know the Chinese better prac-
tically than any one can know them theo-
reiically. They have nothing in common
with US. They save their earnings and
then return, pig-tail and all. to the Flow
cry Kingdom. You cannot make citi-
zen OF man who will not sacrifice his
pig-lail! We have eniranchised the
blacks-they are now Tree and citizens.
and am content. am willing TO place
these Chinese on sort OF probation, if
needs must be, and want the question
determined by tie same rule that my
good old mother regulated her batch OF
doughnuts !"
Then turning 10 Mr.. Sumner, he re-
sumed-"My friend from Massachusetts
has made an exhaustive and able argu-
men,; but suggest to him it Is far bet
ter and safe 10 follow my good old moth
er's example. and fry little piece OF this
suffrage dough before we risk The whole
Chinese batch! !"
The effect of this speech was marvellous
Mr.. Sumner leaned back in his chair,
laughing until tears ran down his cheeks
the Senate and galleries joining. His la
bored argument had been demolished at
one blow by the doughnut simile. Dough
nuts and the sacred rights OF citizenship
combined, were too much lor him. He
could neither retreat nor explain; and
the consequence was. the bill failed
through the homely, but by no means in.
sensible argument of the doughnut at
the hands of Nye He literally killed the
bill and overcame Sumner with dough-
nuts