New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-11
Blaine.

Those who maintained that ''Blaine of
Maine" made q mistake in retiring from the
popular branch of Congress to accept a seat
in the senate have, perhaps, by this time
found out their error. The idea was com.
mon that the mantle of dullness which usu-
ally envelops the deliberations of the higher
branch of the national assembly could not
be rent even by the Efforts of genius. 1t
seems to be forgotten that formerly the
Senste was the scene of great triumphs of
OratOry. 1t was in that arena that the noted
forensic battles of the earlier days of the re-
public were fought. 1t was there that Clay,
Webster, Calhoun, Hsyne, and other intel
leotual giants measured swords. 1t was in
the memorable contests that occurred in the
United States Senate that questions OF lead
ership were determined. When Hayne, of
South Caroline, the pet of the chivalry, de-
liberately selected Webster as his antagOn-
list, and assaulted him with all the arms of
brilliant Oratory, it was with the set purpose
of vanquishing him 10 open fight, in order to
crush at q single blow the man and the par
ty aTrsyed against the Calhoun idea of
State rights. The interest in that never-to-
be-fOrgOtten contest was intense. It was
not believed that Webster could even break
the force Of the terrible charge, much less
convert apparent def, Of into pronounced
victory. When Hsyne resumed his scat
there was doubt, almost dismay, in the
hearts of the Wings. On their faces their
approximations were plainly depicted, and
an anxious silence fell upon the assembly.
But Hayne had reused the lion. Webster
was NOT wounded, hardly stuDg, but stimu-
lated to the exercise of his best powers.
Not word to passion escsped him. There
was ready acceptance of the challenge to
battle, and the sharpest possible defiance,
but both were cOuehed in the most dec0rous
terms Then followed the grand exposl-
ton of constitutional principles, the clear
application of them to the question at issue,
the renorseless demolition of an in.
geniOuslY constructed web of sophisms,
the merciless torrent of infinitely superior
logic, the lofty manner not quite re-
vealing, nor yet wholly cOncealinR,
seOrn of his antagonist and contempt for
his case. When Webster had cOnclud ed
his great speech there was no man to dis
pute his pre-eminence in the Senator. Mr..
Hayne's sun had gone down, and, what was
OF vastly more Gomez quence, Mr.. CAlhOun's
dogma of State rights had ceased to have
any standing in the high court OF eonstitu-
tional argument. Thereafter those who
maintained the right of secession practically
dehed the constitution, and entered upon y
path which led directly to treason and reVo-
luton. From that day the champions of
the institution Of slavery sought 10 secure
by intrigue and intimidation what they
could no longer demand under the cOnati.
tuition. The noble speeches Of Sumner
were never answered. The only reply ever
attempted was the brutal blow of Brooke,
BY which the successor Of Webster was
telled to the ground from his seat in tine
Senate CHAMBER.
We do not revive these recolleetions with
view OF instituting comparison between
Blaine and the distinguished Senators of
an earlier time; but rather TO call attention
IL at ne ha he I.
scene Of magnificent forensic encounters, SO
again the country may be called to witness
debates of unusual brilliancy.
As MIR. Sumner stood alone in refusing
every form of compromise with the evil of
slavery, denouncing It as barbarian, 80
now Mr.. Blaine sounds the tOcsin of alarm
at the possible prospect of q compromise
which, although only limited at, SET ms, not.
withdrawing its manifest improperly, to
be favOrably received by many politicians
and by uDrt hecting people generally. In
advocating the recognition Of Governor
Packard of Louisiana, he speaks plainly,
He does not hesitate to declare that Pack
ard holds the executive office of the State
Of Louisiana by the same title which gave
the presidency to Governor Hayes. IBIS
credit Packard" says he, land you dis
credit Hayes. You hold that Packard is
not the legal Governor OF Louisiana, and
President Hayes has no title TO his seat,
and the honored Wee President, Who pre-.
sidea over our deliberations, has no title to
his chair" These are bold worde; they 20
70 the root OF the matter. Being uttered
they must be answered, answered clearly
and eoneiusiuely, before the administration
Of President Hayes will venture 70 eompFO-
mise Governor Packard ont of his exeou-
tive office. Mr.. Blaine very iastly scouts
the idea that the compromises darkiy hintsd
at has any foundation whatever 10 fact. In
burst Of indignant EemOnsfrauce he de-
mics tbs thing as If it we're . malicious ae.
cnsation agAinet the p0litieal honor aud
ofLlcial integrity Of the now President.
Il 10 quits plain that the Senate OF the
United states Is NOS 70 be place wherein
oWls and bats Wiil delight 70 e0nereaate
while Blaine remains there. He darts TO
the front With dr4na,io power which at
tracts attention, but viii excite Opposition
aud will aEousa al the latent ability Ia that
body The cid leaders will hardly consent
70 eurrendsE 70 the s0ang sspifant nithous
struggle, and W. a7e like 70 Witaess seme
interesting scenes there af the coming res.
Sons g Congress- MeruuEfi8 DuAef
,s'fee ~ rIeee Is lHe aot4, safiue. doE.
aHt ava eEaao|eN1 IS N4t1.... 1s111 f.le5-