Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-04
Our Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON d. c., August 81, 1878.
Messrs Editors'-The only sensation Of the
week has been visit from the great Kearney,
the sand-lot" orator from California As this
individual has secured, in some incomprehensible
manner, theattention Of people and press through
out the country, it may not be anss to write you
about
SEEING KEARNFy
He came to the city on Wednesday night and
during Thursday made calls upon the President,
most of the Cabinet, and at the principal govern
ment departments In the evening he held forth
from the eastern portico Of the CAPITOL to a crowd
of some five thousand people. When Kearney
made his appearance upon the steps an attempt
was made by the Capitol police to prevent him
from addressing the crowd from that position,
but after n lengthy argument on the part Of the
crowd, Kearney was allowed TO proceed The
crowd was gathered upon the steps and in front
Of the eastern main entrance, and presently one
of the gamins II tine throng climbed the big lamp,
which stands just below the marble group OF
Columbus and lit the gas. In an instant night
was turned into day, and one could read the hith-
erto concealed faces Of the crowd about him. It
was motley throng. There were few upon
whose countenanccs GRIM despairing want had
set It's seal; there were others whose faces were
stamped with the brand OF passion-faces that re-
minded one Of the mutinous pictures Of the Paris
commune. But the greater number OF faces were
quiet, conservative features belonging to hard
working mechanics, eager TO learn something
new or clerks in the government departments,
drawn thither by curiosity. 1t was the first time
In all its history that such crowd had assembled
on the steps Of the nations Capitol and for such
purpose.
KEARNEY's SPEECH,
rs he proceeded, demonstrated the fact that he
had control neither OF his voice nor of the Eng
lish language sufficiently to make successful
orator. lie halted, tripped and hesitated again
The harsh tone was composed Of words that were
stale, fiat and Improbable. When he had
spoken some thirty seconds he began, with muc
flourish, to remove his coat This was the worst
sort of cap-tap, and received but little of the a
plause it was intended to create. He displayed q
wooden shirt, and an immense breadth of beam
across the shoulders Before he had spoken thirt,
minutes he called for water, and refused to pro
coed until 1t was brought. He had screamed him
self hoarse without the slightest provocation
other than his vain attempt to win applause. DC
casionally he would seem to realize that he wa,
sinking in the minds Of his hearers, and then h,
would rally to his assistance a string of vulga
oaths and vituperations, the same dirty COMPOUND
that has been telegraphed through the countr,
every time this man has essayed to speak. Thi
was his only stock in trade. He had neither ar
gument, logic, wit nor oratory with which to in
struct, interest, or amuse, and his audience wer
forced to acknowledge this fact before his speed
was ended. Some extracts from his remarks ma,
be of interest, only showing now first-cas
fraud can travel through the country and attrac
or distract the attention Of thousands daily with
out single virtue of word or deed to recomment
| him to notice