The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-10-18
Missonri2s New Senator.

There was such large element of IN
expectedness and Of surprising sudden
ness in the way Missouri's new Senator
aorobated out Of the retirement of pri-
vate life into the most conspicuous part
of the political arena that he resembled
clap Of thunder out of a cloudless sky.
Everybody was astonished- that is, out
side of Missouri; OF, perhaps more re-
striotiyely, outside of ST. Louis, which
is, of course, supposed to know all about
her favorite son. Naturally enough, the
utmost inquisitiveness has been aroused
in other States. Who is he, anyhow +?
Where did he come from, anyway ?
What has his twenty -four-inch brain ac-
complished to entitle him to the honor?
These inquiries started up eagerly in
every nook and corner of wonder
land. And yet the answers have been
only the feeble echoes of unsatisfactory
information. Curiosity is still on tip
toe, with hushing finger pressed on her
lips, eyes fixed intently upon Missour's
new Senator, and form in listening atti-
tude.
At length we have some interesting
dots on the subject. Armstrong halls
from the rock-ribbed regions Of the ris-
ing sun. He is one of Judge Hallibur-
toms immortal blue-noses. Nova Scotia
is responsible for his birthplace. There
he struggled through the briar-patches
of a healthy childhood, and gradually
emerged upon the heights of robust
manhood. Then he crossed the border
into Maine--before the boundary ques-
ton was settled-and then and there
earned his way through good course of
Yankee education. But that did not
root out Of his Nova Scotia nature a
strong contempt for the republican in
situations Of America, or cool the ardor
Of his attachment for Z" the cross of st.
George" These faculties and inclina-
tions were bred in the bone, so they
came out in the flesh.
We hear of no naturalization papers
in Armstrong; case while he qO08 a resi-
dent Of Maine.
Next he turned his devious steps to the
Old Bay State, and became a teacher in
the public schools at New Bedford.
Was that where he enthused on the sub
ject of American citizenship? Did Mas
sachusetts clothe him with the majesty Of
the necessary documents a.? Dame Gossip
looks wise, but says nothing. lie she
knows she prudently keeps her mouth
shut. We are left to the painful sus-
pense of dignifed guesswork.
Finally Armstrong drifted to St. Louis.
That was in the long, long ago. Again
the public schools claimed him for their
own. He was a saving soul, but he knew
trick worth any two Of a savings bank,
and therefore deposited in corner lots,
where the interest was at q compound
rate, and payday sure. Riches began
to pile around his hearthstone, and so
did troops Of friends. All this time,
however, he has not thought it worth
while to say anything to anybody about
his naturalization papers. He may have
them securely locked up in the old
leather trunk in the attic, but he has
never exhibited them in a glass case on
his parlor table. They may exist, and
they may not. Who knows? Who will
tell? In the agony Of this suspeeting
moment we appeal to st. Louis. We
would not for the world mar the glorious
anticipations of bright old age, espe-
cially in the Senatorial line, and that as
Washington, too; but tell us, o tell us,
is Armstrong an American citizen2-
Chicago Inter Ocean.