The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-13
XLVTH CONGRESS- Session
WASHINGTON, February II, 1878.


XLVTH CONGRESS--Second Session.
WASHINGTON, February II, 1878.
SENATE.
After long executive session the Senate
confirmed Wickersham as postmaster at
Mobile, with four dissenting votes; also,
Colonel Vernon as purIcyor OF customs at
Baltimore.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The feature in the House to-day was the
presentation in Joint convention OF the Sem
ate and House OF Carpenters large painting
of the Declaration of Emancipation by
President Lincoln to his Cabinet. The
presentation speech was made by Mr.. Gar
field, OF Ohio. In his speech Mr.. Garfield
eulogized Mr.. Lincoln and the members OF
his Cabinet, and emphasized the point that
MIR. Lincoln had for long time resisted all
the attempts made to induce him to issue
the proclamation, and had only resolved
upon it after he had become convinced
OF its necessity as war measure
and to save the Union, which was
his chief object. In this connec-
ton he quoted Mr.. Lincoln's famous
dispatch in reply to Horace Greeley's
"Prayer from Twenty Millions" to the
effect that il he could save the Union by
abolishing slavery he would do Il; butt
would not do it or refrain from doing II
through any other motive.
The speech was entirely free from any al
fusion that could give offence to any section
or party.
He was followed in 4 speech by Mr.. Ste
phens, of Georgia.
Mr.. Stephens said: Mr.. President and
Speaker,-There is little left for me to say in
the programme assigned me on this august
occasion. On the picture-on the skill OF
the artist-my friend from Ohio has dwelt
at length. In regard to the muniticence OF
the donor he has left me nothing to say.
Few instances of the kind have occurred
in the history Of our country. l know OF
none. May her example in the encourage
ment OF art be followed by others.
| Mr.. President and Speaker, with refer
ence to the subject OF the painting, [ pro-
pose, il my strength permits, to submit
few remarks: First, as to the central
fgure-the man; after that, as to the event
commemorated. knew Mr.. Lincoln we'll
We were together during one Congress.
was rs intimate with him as I was with any
other man OF that Congress, except, per:
haps, one. OF his general character need
not speak. He was Warn-hearted; lie was
generous; he was. as he afterwards said
| possessed Oh u lleuTG WHICH llu - ilallCC u
none and charity to ALL"
In bodily form he was above the average
aad so in intellect. He was not highly cult
waited, but had native genius far above
the average Of his fellows. Every fountain
of his heart was ever overlooking with the
milk Of human kindness. So much for hin
personally, and so much the deeper (iron
nv attachment to him) was the pang in my
own breast AS we'll as in those OF million!
at the manner OF his horrible taking-of
That was the climax OF our woes, OF ou]
trouble, and the spring from which came
afterwards unnumbered woes. But Of these
events no more now. As q friend, may
say :
:. No farther seek Ills merits to disclose,
| Or draw his frailties from their dread abode;
There they alike, IN trembling hone repose,
The bosom OF his father and his God"
! So much have felt it my duty on thi
occasion to say on behalf Of my friend.
Now, as to the great historical event Whicl
this picture commentaries, and which w
are here to-day to commemorate, this Is
subject, perhaps, as remarked my frlen'
from Ohio (Mr. Garfield), which the peopl
of this day and generation are not exactly Il
] a condition to weigh rightly and Judge COZ
rectly. One thing has been remarked
emancipation was not the CHER Object Q
Lincoln. What was his chief object? Tn
myth, the idol, with which his whole sou
was concerned was the preservation OF tn
Union. Now, let not history confus
events. That proclamation, pregnant as
was initiative, as It was in point OF lac
originated more from the necessities OF wa
} than from any purely humanitarian views
, Let this be noted in our history. Life IS
| mistake. In the dark our forms NEE
Mr.. Lincoln, like ali the rest OF us, In N
!, opinion, was an instrument In the hands
that Providence above usiwhieh .'snape
: our ends, rough hew them how we will. -
/ / doubt much IL. he knew at the time {
. ua.,f,.n.s Tho nrrnaf rasIllta ni the set Hf