Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-25
Blaine's Speech "a Sensation.
GALLERIES AND SENATE APPLAUD REPEArEDLl
AN EXCITING BATTLE WITH DAWES AND HoAR
Special 10 the Tribune1

/ AN ENCIfISS BAIILE WITH DAWES AND HOAX.
Special to the Tribune
WASHINGTON, January Ex-senator Blaine
rarely speaks in the Senate without causing
genuine sensations and those who suppose that
he ha, lost any Of his Old dash and vigor, as a re
suit of his severe illness in 1876, and his i'm
paired health at different times since, would have
changed their minds had they seen him to- day
A more brilliant and exciting exhibition has not
been witncs ed in that body for many day.
The occasion wa. which under ordinary
circumstances, would be simply commonplace
Congress passed an act several years ago inviting
tue States TO place in the old Hal of Representa-
tives two statues OF their most distinguished sons
Some Of the New England States and New York
have from time to time responded to this invita-
ton. The State of Maine has recently sent here
statue Of its first Governor. William King.
u sde by Franz lin Simmons, and to, day it was IN
covered and was presented to Congress ~ the two
Senators from Maine.
The custom is on such occasions for tbespeak-
ers to make short rhetorical addresses extolling
the virtues aud deeds Of the soldier statesman or
juIist whose memory is to be perpetdated in mar
bic or bronze.
STRIKING SKETCH OF KING.
Ia his speech to-day, however, Mr.. Blaine went
outside OF the beaten track and I'd ade some striking
comments on the history Of the times in which his
hero had lived. In abiding to the relations which
exs' ed b tween Maine and Massachusetts in their
early days, Mr. Blame called in question he LOYALTY
and patriotism of The older State in certain irving
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 Massachu
sets his auditors listened with sLNIous interest.
The galleries were filed and a Senator never
! spoke VINO received from his associates more
marked or respectful attention. Among those who
/ looked down upon the Senator from the galleries
were Mrs. and Miss Blame anu Gail Hamilton,
Sin Edward Thornton, the Earl of Duierin, and
! other distinguished visitors
| As the Senator referred again and again to the
questionable attitude of Massachusetts, during the
war of 1872, there was good deal Of suppressed
meriment, particularly among the democrat c
Senators from the South, who seemed to euiov
| the spectacle presented when a republican Senator
questioned the loyalty Of New England State
Mr.. Blaine not only succeeded in making CON
splcuOus character in the worlds history out of a
man Of whom the majority OF his auditors had
never heard, but also in stirring MP IA feeling on
the pat Of the Massachusetts Senators which
made 1t impossible Tor them to keep their seats.
BLAINE PUT UPON HIS METTLE
Mr.. Dawes was the first to make reply. lie be-
gan 10 very quiet manner, but a. he went on be-
came more and more excited, and before he closed
was extremely earnest in his manner
Mr.. Hoar followed anu succeeded in giving Mr.
Blaine some hard hits The weakness OF his posi-
ton consisted n his unfamilarty with the facts
While be RENE mbered much OF the history CT the
times Of which Mr.. Blaine had spoken his knowl-
edge not sufficiently minute to enable him to
cope with the Senator from Maine He also made
mistake when he attacked Mr.. Blaines motives
and attributed his sighting illusions 10 the history
Of Massachusetts, to his pque st falling TO receive
the vote OF Massachusetts, ut the Cincinnati Con-
yentIOn
The discussion at this point was getting really
exciting. Mr. Blaine and Mr.. Dawes rose at the
same time, the latter injecting a remark that he
questioned the fac 5. Mr.. Blaine said that he OH
taiued all his facts from Massachusetts, authority,
and iscilmed any intention to attack the old Bay
State. In giving faithful sketch Of William
King, he was forced TO tell the truth he said.
about Massachusetts which was the scene of much
OF his fame and glory. 1t would be as easy, be
said, to write the life Of Abraham Lincoln and
leave out all mention OF the evil war, as to speak
Of King without referring to the dark spots ia
Massachusetts, history
This portion OF MI. Baines speech was fire.
quently applaudeJ, but il was not until Senator
Dawes had demanded ccumstaI tial statements
that the Senator from Maine show ed tue old fire
SO well remembered by those who heard him in
the Gen. Hill and Proctor Knott controversies
lie gave fact after fact IN such rapid succession
aud with such dramatic effect that the galleries
and floors applauded again and again with re-
newed enthusiasm, aud his opponents retired ig-
ANONYMOUSLY beaten. His position was greatly
Strengthened by lis hnal statement that he had
previously gwen both Senators from Msssachu
sets notice of his intention TO make reference to
their State which would be distasteful to them.
The battle was short one but it was decisive