New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-23
RLAINEs SPEECH A SENSATION.
n.,,rp1rs AND SENATE APPIAUD REPEATRDLY-AN
rxCITING BATTLE WITH DAWES AND HOAR
Inv Dir To THE TRRUyEJ

GALLERIES AND SENATE AfPlACD KEPEAihDLi-AN
EXCITING BATTLE WITH DAWES AND HoAR
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I
W,suINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator Blaine rarely
sneaks in the Senate without causing genuine
sensation: and those who suppose that he has lost
onv Of his old dash and vigor, as q result of his
eevere illness in 1876, and his IMPAIRED health at
d;terent times since, would have changed their
minds had they seen him to-day. more brilliant
and exciting exhibition has not been witnessed in
that body for many day.
The occasion was one which under ordinary cir
cnmstances would be simply commonplace. Con-
cress passed an act several years ago inviting the
States to place in the old Hall of Representatives,
two statues of their most distinguished sons. Some
of the New-EnglaDd States and New-York have from
time t, time responded to this invitation. The
State of Maine has recently sent here statue of its
first Governor, William King made by Mr.. Franklin
Simmons. and to-day it was uncovered and was
presented to Congress by the two Senators from
Maine.
The custom is on such occasions for the speakers
10 make short rhetorical addresses extong the vir-
tues and deeds Of the soldier statesman or Jurist
whose memory is to be perpetuated in marble or
bronze
A STRIKING SKETCH OF KING.
Tn his speech to-day, however, Mr.. Blaine went
outside of the beaten track and made some striking
comments on the history of the times IN which his
hero bad lived. In abiding TO the relations which
existed between Maine and Massachusetts III their
early DAYS Mr. Blaine called in question the loyalty
and patriotism of the older State i'll certain trying
times and referred to the facts of history to sustain
him in his criticisms. His sketch of Governor King
was Of itself peculiarly interesting, but when he
proceeded to dethrone the idols of old Massachusetts,
his auditors listened with anxious interest.
The galleries were filed, and a Senator never
spoke who received from his associates more marked
or respectful attention. Among those who looked
down upon the Senator from the galleries were Mrs.
and Miss Blaine and Gail Hamilton, Sir Edward
Thornton. the Earl of Dufferin, and other distn-
guished visitors.
As the Senator referred again and again to the
questionable attitude Of Massachusetts during the
war of 1912, there was good deal of suppressed
molrineut, particularly among the Democratic
Senators from the South. who seemed to enjoy
the spectacle presented when a Republican
Senator questioned the Loyalty of NewEngland
State Mr.. Blaine not only succeeded in making
conspicuous character in the worlds history out of
man of whom the majority of his auditors had
never heard, but also in stirring up feeling on the
part of the Massachusetts Senators which made 1t
impossible fox them to keep their seats.
BLAINE PUT UPON HIS METfLE.
Mr. Dawes was the first to make reply He began
in very quiet manner, but as he went on became
mOre and more excited, and before he closed was
extremely earnest in his manner.
Mr. Hoar followed and succeeded in giving Mr.
Blaine some hard hits. The weakness of his position
consisted in his unfamiliarity with the facts
While he remembered much OF the history
of the times of which Mr.. Blaine had
spoken his knowledge was not sufficiently
minute TO enable him to cope with the Sen
ator from Maine. He also made mistake when he
attacked Mr.. Blaine's motives and attributed his
sighting illusions to the history Of Massachusetts,
to his pique at falling TO receive the vote of Massa-
chusets at the Cincinnati Convention.
The discussion at this point getting really
exciting. Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. Dawes rose at the
same time. the latter injecting remark that he
questioned the facts Mr. Blaine said that he had
obtained all his facts from Massachusetts, au-
tLority. and dscaimed any intention to at
tu the sketch SS Bay 81 within Sinfs King I hs
forced to tell the truth he said, about Massachusetts,
which was the scene of much OF MS ZANE ana
glory. 1t would be as easy he said. 10 write the
FIFE of Abraham Lincoln and leave out all mention
OF the Civil War as to speak of King without re-
ferring to the dark spots in Massachusetts, history.
This portion of Mr.. Blane's speech was frequently
applauded but it was not until Senator Dawes had
demanded circumstantial statements that the
Senator from Maine showed the old flre, so well
remembered by those who heard him in the Gen.
Hill and Proctor Knott controversies. He gave
fact after fact in such rapid succession, and
with such dramatic effect, that the galleries
renewed enthusiasm. and his opponents retired
ANONYMOUSLY beaten. His position was greatly
strengthened by his final statement that he had
previously given both Senators from Massachusetts,
notice Of his intention to make references TO tllelr
State which would I've distasteful TO them.
The battle was a short one but it was decisive.