The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-10-05
CONKLING AND CURTIS.
A Dramatic Scene in the New York Re-
publican Convention, Ora phically Depict
ed by George Alfred Townsend.

publican Convention, Graphically Depict
ed by George Alfred Townsend.
George William Curtis took the plat
form about o'clock. He was applaud
ed, and began very hoarse He asked
that the second resolution be read again,
and took drink of water while it was
read He then read resolution through
an eye-glass, well written by himself, and
perspicuous. He made a speech on this
resolution, clean cut and eloquent at first,
and, after time, wordy and ineffective.
Curtis manner was classical and lyceum-
like, and his face expressed nicely and
devotion, but not manly energy. At
times he appeared to lose his points in
listening to his echoes, and people re-
marked that the unknown Forster was
more effective than his colleague. The
latter, however, tempted no personalities
until toward the close, when he said that
friend of the administration, for patron
age had attempted this.
Curtis finely referred to Conkiing as
intoxicated with the fattery of favor
ties, or blinded by his own ambition"
He said God-speed to the President. "
Curtis then gave sour testimonial to
Conkling, and then remarked: 81 am
q Hayes Republican" He showed him.
self to be no weak rival of Conkling-a
natural man of speech and discussion.
Hamilton Ward then delivered
speech, and attacked Curtis directly,
and referred to Hayes being escorted
through the South by the commander of
the Black Horse Cavalry, while the Re-
publican Governor of South Carolina
was fugitive III Punishment. He used
scriptural quotation, intimatillg that
Hayes was an apostate. Ward again
brought forward Gen. Grants name, and
it was received with furious applause.
Giles W. Hotchkiss then made quaint
speech. He attacked Schurz and Evarts
direct. For years they had been attack
ing Republicans, and now they were Civ
ing the party its shibboleth. One year
ago, at Saratoga, the doctrinaire element
had its way, and the Republican party
was buried under a Democratic ava
lanche. Andy Johnson's supporter,
Evarts, was now the Presidents adviser.
The Republicans of New York State
were sore all over from being too much
experimental with. Mr.. Curtis was a
small man, not able to get the support
of any large body of men, and envious
of big men who did. Hotchkiss kept
everybody laughing.
Seymour Dexter made speech in favor
of Hayes policy, fine military speech,
saying that he carried a musket during
the war, and was glad to see the leader
of the Black Horse Cavalry escorting the
President through the South. He was
loudly applauded.
Mr.. Curtis arose and stood in the
aisle. Conkling slowly arose aud took
the platform. Curtis continued stand
ing. Forster, Curtis colleague, inter-
posed a motion. Conkling tried to
speak, but Curtis insisted. Conkling
descended from the platform disgruntled.
Curtis here sought to wreck the force of
Conklings expected speech by anncunc-
ing in advance that it would be highly
powerful. Curtis said he had not intro
duced firebrand. but a torch-a torch
he still held. He spoke well, but too
lengthily.
Conkling was uproariously hailed as
he arose. His speech was more than an
hour long-was the greatest speech he
ever made before a political convention,
and the most extraordinary instance of Off
hand, critical oratory probably ever made
in this country. Its Conklingism was its
individuality; butts general sweep, per-
feet diction, manly bearing, and invinci-
BILE fearlessness held everybody SPELL |
bound. Mr.. Curtis got up only once to |
apologize, as he saw the thunderbolt
forged for him.
The venom of this speech was con-
contrated. It's chastity and elevation of |
style yet relieved it from all dema-
goguery or mere point The
elocution of Conkling, considering its
length, was an extraordinary instance of |
physical strength. He spared nobody,
yet he did not personally score Hayes.
He omitted no single point made by any
of his opponents, yet he had no notes.
He resorted to no anecdote, but every
thing was spirited and plain. An ire
sistible current flowed through ali the
tenor of his remarks. He closed after
IL o'clock, leaving all the reporters so
and exhausted that very few
who heard the whole speech will attempt
an account of it. He carried the con-
and probably would have done